HMS Queen Elizabeth begins second sea trials
HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed from Portsmouth Naval Base to begin the second phase of her sea trials, the Royal Navy announced on 30 October.
The aircraft carrier arrived at her home port in Portsmouth in August. During the first phase of sea trials, conducted earlier this year, the ship demonstrated platform stability and manoeuvrability.
The vessel will now be at sea for the next month and will be delivered to the Royal Navy by the end of 2017.
Captain Bill Oliphant, Captain of Portsmouth Naval Base, said: ‘This period at sea will mark a significant milestone in the life of the ship leading towards her acceptance into the Royal Navy at her commissioning later this year, back in her home port of Portsmouth.’
HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the fleet’s incoming aircraft carriers, is in the final phases of construction in Rosyth Dockyard and is expected to be floated out of its dock next spring.
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