The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) completes sea trials prior to her first entry to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth as seen from the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley. U.S. Navy photo by Cameron Stoner
UPDATE: Today the Royal Navy news site Navy Lookout provided the following comments: “The reason HMS Prince of Wales could not begin her planned deployment is that an external SKF coupling that connects the outer propellor shaft to the drive shaft from the propulsion motors failed. This is a rare event and a situation described by the First Sea Lord as “unprecedented” as few marine engineers can remember an instance of this happening.” Visit Navy Lookout to read their full update.
Britain’s newest aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales suffered a serious mechanical issue that will require drydocking. The UK Defense Journal reports that the propeller was damaged after “hitting something on the sea bed” but the Royal Navy said it was a “mechanical fault on the starboard shaft.” This occurred on Saturday shortly after leaving southern England for what was described as a “landmark mission” with the US Navy.
Sources aboard the ship told the UK Defence Journal that the damaged aircraft carrier will likely head to a drydock in Amsterdam for repairs.
The Prince of Wales is one of two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, the largest ships in the Royal Navy. It can carry up to 40 aircraft and was due to become fully operational in 2023.
The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, which cost 3.1 billion pounds to build, left Portsmouth on Saturday for a three-month exercise working closely with the United States Navy on stealth jet and drone operations off the coast of North America and in the Caribbean.
“HMS Prince of Wales remains in the South Coast Exercise Area while conducting investigations into an emerging mechanical issue,” a Royal Navy spokesperson said in the official statement.
The ship was anchored off the Isle of Wight yesterday and divers were sent down to determine what was wrong. Today the ship was cleared to limp back to Portsmouth while final repair arrangements are made.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 109,876 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
By Nate Raymond Dec 6 (Reuters) – A federal judge on Friday ruled that the U.S. Naval Academy may continue to consider race when evaluating candidates to attend the elite military school,...
BANGKOK, Nov 30 (Reuters) – Myanmar’s navy opened fire on a group of Thai fishing vessels on Saturday, causing one fisherman to drown, and detained 31 crew members from one of the boats, a...
By Wilfried Eckl-Dorna Nov 15, 2024 (Bloomberg) –Thyssenkrupp AG is planning an initial public offering of its naval shipbuilding unit within a year after plans to sell a majority stake to...
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign Up
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 109,876 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
