UK Defence Forum

RichardIC wrote:Purdah applies to public bodies. It has absolutely no impact on the media, including the BBC.

Lots of people confused around purdah and the Type 31 contract signing as well. Purdah doesn't mean government ceases, it just means announcements and politically contentious decisions are put in abeyance. Signing a contract and not announcing it is in fact perfectly fine. Someone letting the cat out of the bag on it isn't though...

Timmymagic wrote:Lots of people confused around purdah and the Type 31 contract signing as well. Purdah doesn't mean government ceases, it just means announcements and politically contentious decisions are put in abeyance. Signing a contract and not announcing it is in fact perfectly fine. Someone letting the cat out of the bag on it isn't though...

This is totally off topic now, but Babcock had to make an announcement as it's a publicly listed company, and MoD was aware of that.

PhillyJ wrote:and also achieved a higher top speed than her sister during the trials

Given that there will be won't be a massive difference between the 2. Is the opinion that this will either be due to a little more confidence in the propulsion now given the trials on both ships, better conditions for a full power run, less time that PoW has spent in the water or a combination of factors? Bragging rights?

Timmymagic wrote:

PhillyJ wrote:and also achieved a higher top speed than her sister during the trials

Given that there will be won't be a massive difference between the 2. Is the opinion that this will either be due to a little more confidence in the propulsion now given the trials on both ships, better conditions for a full power run, less time that PoW has spent in the water or a combination of factors? Bragging rights?

Probably a combination of all those I guess, my nipper said that the Capt made an announcement to all ships crew that it might have been noted we were travelling at speed, apparently it went along the lines of 'we all want to get home as soon as possible'

Having seen both ships in person myself now, they do not seem noticibly bigger or smaller than each other, but I haven't seen them both together - yet.

I've known for certain from my own measurments that QE is 280m long and 73m wide. (Above water-line)

So I've also done a measurement of PoW from an aerial photo of her at Rosyth J/K berth. I've found that PoW is:

Length: 280m
Width: 73m

....which is exactly the same length and width as the QE - to the centimetre.

Verdict: Myth Busted!

AHH well captain Houston was either mis lead or mis informed , fair enough no probs

(NavyLookout) 18th November 2019

Video compliation - On the Princess Royal Jetty and onboard HMS Prince of Wales on the day she first arrived in her home port. More: https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/up-clo ... ortsmouth/

Looks like HMSQNLZ is on the move according to AIS.

Maybe we will see a third QE after all
https://www.doonited.in/britain-offers- ... -to-india/

Not this old chestnut again ,I don't doubt that the design has been offered to India and would do them just fine but we all kinda know India isn't going to go for it .it's just going to do the rounds yet again in another 7-8 months time bla bla bla

Bring Deeps wrote:Looks like HMSQNLZ is on the move according to AIS.

She's moved on up to Annapolis for a diplomatic visit.

My lad got called back to ship last night from his leave, I guess that's a drawback of living so close to base! Apparently they are doing a cold move at some point this morning, he wasn't best pleased!

10:00 - HMS Prince of Wales is being moved from Princess Royal Jetty to Victory Jetty, bows north.
HMS Warrior webcam: https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/warrior-webcam

SKB wrote:10:00 - HMS Prince of Wales being moved from Princess Royal Jetty to Victory Jetty, bows north.
HMS Warrior webcam: https://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/warr ... gK9EfD_BwE

Certainly is.

PoW now at Victory Jetty.


(Dave Hartley @dhartley_NMRN)

Seems a pointless exercise. Anyone know why?

1. To try out Victory Jetty's newly upgraded and deepened berth, and its new shore mains electrical power pantograph, not yet used.
2. Because QE's imminent arrival will require the larger primary jetty space at PRJ for family reunions, unloading/reloading etc than the limited smaller secondary berth space at Victory Jetty can provide.
3. Because QE "belongs" at Princess Royal Jetty as she is the active commissioned carrier requiring the larger primary jetty.
4. Because it gives tourists something modern and big to look at and compare with HMS Victory, Mary Rose, and M33 - all near Victory Jetty - while PoW is not being used.
5. Because the nearest pubs and chippy are closer to Victory Jetty than they are to Princess Royal Jetty.

Trivia:
Before HMS Victory was put into her permanent drydock no.2 home in 1922, the area of today's Victory Jetty was previously named Pitch House Jetty and King's Steps Jetty.

SKB wrote:5. Because the nearest pubs and chippy are closer to Victory Jetty than they are to Princess Royal Jetty.

This is more likely to be the main reason for the crew! There is another point which is why my nipper had to forgo his leave and rush back last night to be on board for the cold move this morning, but he couldn't/wouldn't say what.

PhillyJ wrote:

SKB wrote:5. Because the nearest pubs and chippy are closer to Victory Jetty than they are to Princess Royal Jetty.

This is more likely to be the main reason for the crew! There is another point which is why my nipper had to forgo his leave and rush back last night to be on board for the cold move this morning, but he couldn't/wouldn't say what.

Not another bloody lobster pot!

Meanwhile, Westlant19's HMS Dragon is in Manhattan NY.
HMS Northumberland is in Boston - next to the USS Constitution.
RFA Tideforce is at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

(TheSgbarter) 20th November 2019

HMS Queen Elizabeth anchored in the Chesapeake Bay outside Annapolis, Maryland, USA. The Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier visited the area to host the Defense and Security Trade exhibition and the 2019 Atlantic Future Forum.

QE's first vertical jet takeoff?

cockneyjock1974 wrote:

PhillyJ wrote:

SKB wrote:5. Because the nearest pubs and chippy are closer to Victory Jetty than they are to Princess Royal Jetty.

This is more likely to be the main reason for the crew! There is another point which is why my nipper had to forgo his leave and rush back last night to be on board for the cold move this morning, but he couldn't/wouldn't say what.

Not another bloody lobster pot!

Local news reported this, not what I have heard so who knows?!?

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defen ... -1-9149524

The website is terrible and you may need to sign up to it, so here is the actual 'article'

From the Portsmouth News:

The Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier was involved in an incident with jetty services on Monday evening.

Following the incident, three tugboats, including a high specification fire fighting tug, were called to ensure the continued safety of the 65,000 tonne HMS Prince of Wales, according to a Royal Navy spokeswoman.

It is believed a gantry holding an electrical cable hit the ship.

A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: ‘There was an incident involving jetty services on Princess Royal Jetty within the naval base between 8pm and 9pm on Monday where HMS Prince of Wales was berthed.

‘There were no injuries to any personnel and the jetty remains open.’

Teams from the ship’s company, BAE Systems and Queen’s Harbour Master reacted immediately to ensure the safety of the ship and ‘to mitigate any potential risk to other vessels’, according to the spokesman.

The tugboats supported the ship to move to Victory Jetty earlier today, as part of commissioning ceremony preparations unaffected by the incident.

HMS Prince of Wales is now birthed at the jetty, which underwent more than £30m of work to modernise its facilities earlier this year, including the installation of two 95 tonne ‘bumpers’ to allow both carriers to berth at once.

History was made as HMS Prince of Wales arrived in Portsmouth on Saturday, two weeks ahead of schedule.

The warship is due to be commissioned into the navy on December 10 in a ceremony due to be attended by the Duchess of Cornwall.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, currently undertaking sea trials off the coast of the USA, is due back to Portsmouth before her sister ship’s commissioning ceremony.

PhillyJ wrote:HMS Queen Elizabeth, currently undertaking sea trials off the coast of the USA, is due back to Portsmouth before her sister ship’s commissioning ceremony.

Looking forward to seeing that historic moment.

bobp wrote:Looking forward to seeing that historic moment.

Indeed, will definitely be an impressive homecoming. As commissioning is confirmed for Dec 10th it's not that far off, we have our invite and as our Son is a Gunner he will be part of the Honour Guard to welcome the Royal party.

Historic times for your lad phillyj in the long history of the rn and he should be v proud he taking part and a witness to such events