Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 11:59
by RichardIC
dmereifield wrote:Well, we don't know the specifics yet, but even if (?) it adds no new unique capabilities, does it not at least add additional capacity and flexibility to the fleet? In addition to supporting UK shipbuilding plc, without MoD having to fund it
You're making a huge assumption thinking it's going to be a Royal Navy vessel.
With this Government's track record it's more likely to be SD Duke of Edinburgh than HMS Duke of Edinburgh.
They have just outsourced VIP air transport after all.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 12:42
by Caribbean
All well and good - but what size of main gun? Should it have CAMM?
I also hope that one of the ship's launches is called "Princess Nut-nut".
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 12:48
by SKB
HMS Magpie (H130) the hydrographic coastal survey vessel, is named after one of Prince Philip's previous commands, HMS Magpie (U82), a Black Swan class sloop.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 12:55
by bobp
Another Boris vanity project for the public to fund. Will his wife choose the decorations?
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 13:03
by Pseudo
SW1 wrote:
dmereifield wrote:
RichardIC wrote:
SW1 wrote:Not sure I fully understand the rationale for a such a ship.
Don't spend too much time contemplating it. There really is none.
Well, we don't know the specifics yet, but even if (?) it adds no new unique capabilities, does it not at least add additional capacity and flexibility to the fleet? In addition to supporting UK shipbuilding plc, without MoD having to fund it
Not sure it does add any capacity infact if it’s RN manned it probably reduces it.
To be honest my thinking goes as far as if it’s to honor the work of the Duke of Edinburgh then his passions were for service, young people’s development and the environment. So my thinking takes me to either a sail training ship for cadets or perhaps an Arctic/Northern Atlantic research ship linked to university or maritime museum that Young people can join with scientists to investigate environmental impacts in the region. Sort of a sister ship to HMS protector perhaps with a commonwealth crew. But most certainly not a Royal Yacht
I think that if the government are looking to honour the work of the Duke of Edinburgh and his passions of service, young people’s development and the environment then I think that significantly expanding the eponymous award scheme by providing incentives and support to schools to encourage participation would be a much better and more socially and economically beneficial idea than a royal yacht, training ship or a research vessel.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 13:09
by SKB
Although the sentiment is a nice one, somehow, I don't think the late Duke would've approved of a new yacht named in his honour.
But I like the idea of a new yacht as it also annoys the hell out of anti-monarchists and lefties who don't enjoy living in our constitutional monarchy and would rather we lived in a marxist nannystate/superstate bloc or a federal republic.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 13:42
by Ron5
I recognize Dr Who but who is the dude on the right?
PS Relevant to the topic, honest.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 14:31
by RichardIC
SKB wrote:
But I like the idea of a new yacht as it also annoys the hell out of anti-monarchists and lefties who don't enjoy living in our constitutional monarchy and would rather we lived in a marxist nannystate/superstate bloc
I’m a monarchist and I’m not a leftie and it’s a crap idea.
And if you’re in favour of building things chiefly as a means to annoy someone you’re an idiot.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 15:00
by Caribbean
Apparently someone left £50m as a bequest to the RF, for the purpose of building a new yacht. I think the £200m estimate is a recycling of the RN's plans for a replacement at the time Britannia was sold off, which would have cost £110m at the time (thus the estimate of £200m today). I wonder what support it would get from the public if they tried financing it via public subscription, with "grants" from various Govt. departments (Industry, Education, Trade, Foreign Office) for the expected benefits for their respective sectors - it would be more politically neutral than "us Tories is building Madge a new party yacht".
For a light-hearted look at what it might look like
and if you want to know why Britannia was designed the way she was, this is an interesting looks at the requirements (like a Royal Yacht needs three masts, to fly the Royal Standard at the Main, the Flag of the Lord High Admiral at the Fore, and the Union Flag at the Mizzen).
More effort went into the Hospital Ship part of the design than the "Royal" elements, apparently https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/m ... -paper.pdf
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 15:33
by Poiuytrewq
My main concern isn't how would we fund/build a new royal yacht, rather, how would you ever properly protect it?
In the 21st century ensuring the safety of those onboard would drain considerable resources from an already stretched RN that is vastly smaller than it was in 1997.
If HMG really want this to happen funding needs to be secured for the construction of the yacht, operating and maintenance costs and most importantly fully funding the ongoing security costs to ensure the safety of the vessel, crew and VIP's onboard anywhere in the world.
A royal yacht is not a priority for the UK so the Defence budget should not be raided to make this happen.
When fully calculated, I think the total cost of this endeavor would be eyewateringly expensive.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 15:33
by SD67
I was thinking of a different way to honour the Duke - build a base in the Aegean and name it after him. Base a couple of frigates and MCMs there and keep an eye on Erdogan and his antics. It would boost the Greek economy, strengthen NATOs southern front, maybe in the future be a staging point to support Ukraine. Alot more practical than a yacht
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 15:34
by Ron5
Srsly??
From a team of professional yacht designers ..
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 15:49
by RichardIC
Caribbean wrote:Apparently someone left £50m as a bequest to the RF, for the purpose of building a new yacht.
I presume RF is royal family. Bet they were delighted. I grabbed a look at The Telegraph story in Waitrose and apparently the main cause of contention has been whether the funding came from the MoD or Cabinet Office.
SD67 wrote:I was thinking of a different way to honour the Duke - build a base in the Aegean and name it after him.
Philip was from the Ionian.
Ron5 wrote:Srsly??
From a team of professional yacht designers ..
But honestly, that's what a Boris yacht would end up looking like.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 16:04
by SKB
(ITV News) 10th April 2021
As consort, the Duke of Edinburgh often lived on board a floating palace in the form of the Royal Yacht Britannia. The Duke helped to design the interiors of the ship, which he and the Queen used for more than 40 years to tour the world.
Britannia was taken out of commission in 1997 and is now a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, it has become a monument for many of the Duke's passions and beliefs.
(Yachts For Sale) 8th January 2018
How Much would the Royal Yacht Cost? And Who would build it? The question of whether the British Royal Family should have a Royal Yacht has recently come to light again, as Tory MPs suggest that state lottery money should be used to fund the project.
Who could build such a yacht though? Who could design it? And most particularly...How Much would it cost? This video takes a look at those questions, and tries to answer them.
(Andrew Winch Design)
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 16:33
by Caribbean
Ron5 wrote:Srsly??
From a team of professional yacht designers ..
I know - pretty pathetic, some of them.
Personally I prefer the look of the old Brittania - closer to the lines of classic 1930s yachts, like this one, Talitha (formerly the Jezebel).
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 17:14
by Scimitar54
Get Number 1 Dock and “Goliath” ready for construction of HMS DofE. Royal accommodation to be modular and installed in the Hangar when it is to be used as a “Royal Yacht”. The modular accommodation could then be fitted in the other QECs when required.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 02 May 2021, 17:32
by RichardIC
But we need four, with at least 100 VLS and deathrays.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 03 May 2021, 02:15
by Pseudo
SKB wrote:Although the sentiment is a nice one, somehow, I don't think the late Duke would've approved of a new yacht named in his honour.
But I like the idea of a new yacht as it also annoys the hell out of anti-monarchists and lefties who don't enjoy living in our constitutional monarchy and would rather we lived in a marxist nannystate/superstate bloc or a federal republic.
What's the name for someone that primarily seeks personal satisfaction from the dissatisfaction of others?
I'm sure there's a word for it...
Wait a minute, it's on the the tip of my tongue...
Oh, that's it. Troll.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 03 May 2021, 09:29
by jedibeeftrix
I have no problem with the concept and role of a royal yacht, but in an era of hundreds of multi-billionaires each with a 100+ meter carbon-fibre and smoked glass monstrosity - does a new royal yacht have any diplomatic cachet?
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 30 May 2021, 02:53
by R686
PM Johnson has announced a replacement, he just does not want to call it a yacht
Looks like i'm a little late to the party on this one
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 30 May 2021, 09:18
by abc123
Waste of money, IMHO. Better buy 2-3 more F-35s. Or even ASMs for escorts.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 30 May 2021, 10:09
by Timmymagic
abc123 wrote:Waste of money, IMHO. Better buy 2-3 more F-35s. Or even ASMs for escorts.
Politically this is stupid. There is literally no upside. Anyone who actually wants a Royal Yacht built is already voting Conservative (and there aren't many out there who really want this). It won't attract any new votes and I suspect the Royal Family will stear clear of saying anything positive about it as its guaranteed to be a political hot potato. Any cutbacks will automatically be contrasted against the construction and running costs. I expect the RN will be dreading having to man it as well...
Anyone supporting this needs to answer the question.....Royal Yacht or get Wave Ruler back in service.....Royal Yacht or C-130J's? Thats the reality of this nonsense.
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 30 May 2021, 10:39
by SKB
So HMS instead of HMY. Will they try the "she could be a useful hospital ship in a conflict" thing next?!
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 30 May 2021, 10:45
by RunningStrong
SKB wrote:So HMS instead of HMY. Will they try the "she could be a useful hospital ship in a conflict" thing next?!
How many VLS cells will it have!
Re: Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (1954-1997) (ex RN)
Posted: 30 May 2021, 10:51
by Caribbean
Gotta have a 5-inch - it's isn't a proper yacht without one