Established by the British Government under UN Security Council Resolutions 217 and (by 9 Apr 1965) UNSCR 221, to enforce economic sanctions against Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), primarily to prevent the flow of oil to the country from the East African coast. The patrol began with two frigates and an RFA, initially supported by a carrier (until mid May 1966), whilst the RAF organised its local base of operations for air cover, with Shackletons from Majunga between 16 Mar 1966 and Jun 1971, until Madagascar obtained its independence from France and the basing agreement ended. By Mar 1971, this had reduced to one warship and one RFA in support. Almost 80 Royal Navy warships took part in this operation at various times over its 10 year lifespan. The Operation was called off when Mozambique gained independence from Portugal, HMS Salisbury the last warship on patrol departed and the UK Treasury breathed a huge sigh of relief. 
HMS Mohawk,(Captain Stanley L McCardle), though not mentioned here, was the first ship to take up the Beira Patrol. The three patrol lines were originally named after ex-girlfriends of our (RAN) Navigation Officer. I was one of 3 Midshipmen in Mohawk. I can't now remember the exact dates, but we were based at Mombasa, and were actually on patrol during the World Cup semi-final; England v Portugal. At that time a Portuguese (ex RN) frigate was in company, ensuring that we didn't enter their territorial waters. (Capt McCardle had served in her as an Able Seaman when she was RN!)During the match the two ships sailed close alongside (as if a RAS) and the match commentary was played on the ships speaker systems, in both languages. With the cheering, (or otherwise!) ships' companies manning the sides, it was as if the game was being played in the ocean between us.
Units |
| Dates | Unit | Models |
|---|---|---|
| mar66 to jun75 |  829 NAS Fleet Air Arm | Wasp Whirlwind Whirlwind Whirlwind Wessex Wessex |
| jun70 to jun75 | 737 NAS Fleet Air Arm | Sea King Wessex |
Ships |
| Classes | Ships | |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Carrier | Audacious class | R05 HMS Eagle, R09 HMS Ark Royal, |
| Guided-Missile Destroyer | County class | D16 HMS London, D20 HMS Fife, |
| Frigate | Ikara Leander class | F10 HMS Aurora, F109 HMS Leander, F38 HMS Arethusa, F39 HMS Naiad, |
| Frigate | Type 12 Rothesay class | F101 HMS Yarmouth, F103 HMS Lowestoft, F107 HMS Rothesay, F113 HMS Falmouth, F115 HMS Berwick, F126 HMS Plymouth, F129 HMS Rhyl, |
| Frigate | Type 81 Tribal class | F119 HMS Eskimo, F122 HMS Gurkha, F131 HMS Nubian, F133 HMS Tartar, |
| Frigate | Exocet Leander class | F45 HMS Minerva, F47 HMS Danae, |
| Frigate | Seawolf Leander class | F58 HMS Hermione, |
| Frigate | Towed Array Exocet Leander class | F28 HMS Cleopatra, F40 HMS Sirius, F56 HMS Argonaut, |
| Support Ship | Improved Tide class | A76 RFA Tidepool, |
| Support Ship | Somersby class | A84 RFA Reliant, |
| Support Ship | Canadian Fort class | A229 RFA Fort Duquesne, |
| Support Ship | Retainer class | A280 RFA Resurgent, |
