The fifth and final of Britain’s next-generation patrol ships has begun its journey from the Firth of Clyde to Portsmouth this morning.
HMS Spey spent the last weeks undergoing "fine-tuning" as it prepares for a long-term mission thousands of miles from the UK.
READ MORE: BAE Systems hails HMS Spey Glasgow departure on delivery voyage to Portsmouth
The 2,000-tonne patrol ship is at the vanguard of the Royal Navy’s ongoing programme of stationing warships around the world in areas key to Britain’s interests.
This morning, final preparations were made for Spey’s 700-mile journey from the Clyde to the Solent and she went on her way.
@HMS_Spey @HMSTrent @hms_tamar @RoyalNavy @NavyLookout @WOCarlSteedman so so happy I got to see all 3 sisters leave for their maiden journeys to @HMNBPortsmouth #fairwindsandfollowingseas pic.twitter.com/3kED5EtH2N
— Eileen McGovern (@lene2104) October 28, 2020
Once in Portsmouth there will be further trials and training, the ship will be formally transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned, before being ready for front-line operations by the early summer of 2021 so she can take her place alongside her four sisters.
She’ll also foster closer ties with her affiliated county of Moray in Scotland – the river Spey flows through it into the North Sea – and its principal town, Elgin.
See pictures of the ship as she prepared to set off this morning:
The most important preps for our journey down to @HMNBPortsmouth completed by our Gunnery Officer 1.
— HMS Spey (@HMS_Spey) October 28, 2020
Bagpipe SOCs complete!! 🏴⚓@RNinScotland https://t.co/4HGQBaka3X
Sunrise / Colours onboard @HMS_Spey this morning. Bagpipes! #HMSSpey #Bagpipes @RoyalNavy pic.twitter.com/wZA288pmng
— JWRTalks (@JWRTalks) October 28, 2020
✅ Engines running correctly in bridge control.
— HMS Spey (@HMS_Spey) October 28, 2020
✅ Tugs
✅ Out brow
Looks like it's nearly time to leave! @HMNBPortsmouth we are on the way! ⚓ pic.twitter.com/8MvpfuOa8Q
— HMS Spey (@HMS_Spey) October 28, 2020
And we're off! 🏁
— HMS Spey (@HMS_Spey) October 28, 2020
HMS Spey leaving @BAESystemsplc Scotstoun for the last time.
Next stop @HMNBPortsmouth! 🏴🇬🇧⚓ pic.twitter.com/G3yYfAwBJZ
@HMS_Spey @HMSTrent @hms_tamar @RoyalNavy @NavyLookout @WOCarlSteedman so so happy I got to see all 3 sisters leave for their maiden journeys to @HMNBPortsmouth #fairwindsandfollowingseas pic.twitter.com/3kED5EtH2N
— Eileen McGovern (@lene2104) October 28, 2020
— HMS Spey (@HMS_Spey) October 28, 2020
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