Ministry of Defence
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Greener HMS Ark Royal Sails Again
A faster, leaner and greener HMS Ark Royal takes to the seas again tomorrow (Friday) for the first time since February.
The aircraft carrier has just undergone a £12m upgrade in her home port of Portsmouth and is about to embark on two weeks of post-maintenance tests.
She is heading to the Royal Navy’s training areas off the south west of England for marine and weapon engineering trials.
During the upgrade her hull was painted with new ‘intersleek’ paint – allowing her to cut through the seas more quickly - which will cut fuel costs and emissions by nine percent. It will also increase her top speed by two knots to 30 knots.
The work, carried out by BVT Surface Fleet, also included new exhaust systems, an updated IT network and improvements to sewage treatment plants. Her gearboxes, main engines and diesel generators have also been refurbished.
Ark Royal will resume her role as Fleet Flagship in the New Year,
taking over from her sister ship HMS Illustrious which took on the
honour during Ark Royal’s upgrade. She will also become the UK’s
high-readiness ‘Strike Carrier’.
The ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain John Clink, said: “The ship’s company is excited and proud to be taking Ark Royal back to sea to commence our preparations to become the Royal Navy’s Strike Carrier and the UK’s Fleet Flagship.
“I recognise that our seven months in Portsmouth has been hard
work but it has ensured that we are ready to start our sea
training and be able to practice our war-fighting skills. The ship
is now faster, leaner and greener and looking forward to taking
her place at the Vanguard of the Fleet.”
Ends
Note to editors:
For media wishing to film/photograph HMS Ark Royal’s departure from Portsmouth Naval Base on September 25, she will be passing the Round Tower, Old Portsmouth, at approximately 10.35am.
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk
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