Carrier stops off at home
Ship returns for resupply at port
CROWDS gathered to watch HMS Queen Elizabeth return to the city to re-supply ahead of further trials of F35 Lightning fighter jets.
The £3bn warship has returned to the city after conducting a series of tests – ranging from war game scenarios to mock fire drills – off the south coast near Plymouth.
She is expected to remain alongside for several days in order to collect supplies and equipment for upcoming fighter jet trials.
The sight of the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier drew crowds along the shoreline and Old Portsmouth’s Round Tower, with a smaller-thanusual turnout allowing people to socially distance safely.
For Royal Navy veteran Steve Pryor, who was wearing a face mask along with his wife Gill, the thinned-out crowds left them feeling ‘very lucky’ to have a ‘fantastic’ view from the Round Tower.
The Waterlooville resident said: ‘It’s always been too crowded when we have come down before – so we have been lucky with the view.
The 69-year-old added that the virus was a factor they considered before heading out.
He said: ‘But seeing as it’s got a lot better and most people are observing the rules, we thought we’d come down.
‘We would probably have gone along the beach if it was busy here.’
It was the first time Terry Stephen, also from Waterlooville, was able to see the ship in person – an occasion made more special by the fact his son, Carl, is serving onboard as part of the flight command team.
The 62-year-old: ‘It’s good to see it in person – seeing the ship has made me feel even more proud of him.
Commenting on social distancing, he added: ‘Most people haven’t got right on top of each other – people were not crammed together.’
Swindon resident Brent Strange, who served as an engineer in the Royal Navy for seven years, was visiting with wife, Rosie, he said: ‘We try to come down every time the aircraft carriers are here.
‘We would come down no matter what – it’s really import to support the navy.’
On Wednesday the ship's Twitter account said basic sea training had ended successfully. She is undergoing rigorous testing before going operational.
This week the aircraft carrier also completed her first assessed nighttime replenishment at sea with RFA Tideforce.