How do I send a letter to a military ship?

[BittersweetMemories]

Okay I might be being dense but I am very tired!

I want to send a card to a RN ship. How should it be addressed?

[SidesteppinTheRona]

I think you need a BFPO number for the ship to write on your envelope.
Maybe you can find it out online?

[BittersweetMemories]

I have been googling for 25 mins and still can't work it out...

So far, I have:

STAFF NUMBER, RANKING, NAME
SHIP NAME
BFPO NUMBER

Does that sound right?

[SidesteppinTheRona]

I can’t remember exactly... 30 odd years ago I used to write to my friend on a ship!

There’s BFPO info on the gov.uk website that might help.

[BittersweetMemories]

The gov website says I should also include the UNIT or REGIMENT and OPERATION

However I do not know any of these things... Will Service Number, Rank, Name, Ships Name and BFPO number be sufficient??

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

That sounds about right. Don't put where the ship is... The post goes to the military sorting office (near London if I recall correctly). Check size limits.

[mrsnolasco]

if you can possibly find out their regiment at least, that would speed things up for you. Without that info it would likely get there eventually but there may be quite a wait.

[BittersweetMemories]

Thank you! Last question (probably how long is a piece of string....)

How long do letters usually take to get to the ship? Its an anniversary card but don't want to send it too soon!

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Depends whether it goes by sea or air. I've had post take 6 weeks get to Cyprus... (And post that never arrived)

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Also put it in a plain envelope, it's a couple of years ago but birthday cards were the most frequently lost items.

[BittersweetMemories]

That's fab, thank you. Based on that I might be a bit late in sending it!!

My fiance is on his first deployment after a major career change so this is all a bit new to me!

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

There's still a good chance- we also had post arrive in less than a week (and a new passport in 10 days, but that was in the 'official' post- it did have to go both ways though!)

[firstinflatesplea]

SERVICE NUMBER, RANK and NAME
UNIT or REGIMENT
OPERATION
BARRACKS or CAMP or RAF STATION or NAVAL SHIP (if applicable)
BFPO numberr_

You can find the BFPO number here www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-forces-post-office-locations

[WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat]

I was going to suggest in a bottle but my granny says that if you do that it doesn't always get to the right place.