Sarah West – First woman commander of a navy ship of Britain

Lieutenant Commander Sarah West, 39 is slated to become the first woman in the 500-year history
of the Royal Navy of Britain to command a frontline warship.

She is to be promoted Commander at the end of 2011 and in April 2012 will assume command of the frigate HMS Portland, and its mostly male crew of 185.

Women have previously commanded only small nonfighting Navy ships such as fishery protection vessels.