'Formidable defender' HMS Active takes to the water for the first time with Type 31 achieving 'landmark'
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Strong waves were lapping against the hull of a new advanced warship as she was floated on the water for the first time.
Type 31 frigate HMS Active, due to be based in Portsmouth once she’s commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet, was taken out into her natural habitat this week. Engineers at Babcock International in Scotland completed a delicate operation to lower the warship into the sea for her inaugral sailing.
Commodore Stephen Roberts, T31 Programme Senior Responsible Owner, said: “HMS Active will serve as a formidable defender of our national security and a powerful asset for NATO in an increasingly dangerous world. For the Royal Navy the float off provides a visual opportunity to highlight the pride and importance of having world class ships to protect the nation from those who would wish to do us harm.”
Since emerging from the assembly hall on a gigantic remote controlled trailer, HMS Active has been manoeuvred on to a semi-submersible barge ready to be floated off to allow the frigate to be completed. HMS Venturer, the first of the five Inspiration-class vessels, has already gone through the process.
The barge carrying HMS Active was submerged in the dockyard’s huge basin, with engineers from the Royal Navy and Defence Equipment & Support supporting the programme. She’ll now undergo further outfit work before tests and commissioning takes place.
Steve Ranyard, DE&S Type 31 Team Leader, said: “The float-off of HMS Active is another landmark moment for the Type 31 programme and a proud day for everyone involved in her delivery. This milestone reflects the pace and professionalism of the entire programme team at Rosyth and across the UK supply chain, as we continue to make real, tangible progress towards delivering a capable and versatile new frigate for the Royal Navy.”
This latest milestone follows the dual celebration at Rosyth at the end of February, when HMS Active rolled out of the purpose-built Venturer Building Assembly Hall in a spectacular evening ceremony. On the same day, steel was cut on HMS Bulldog, the fourth vessel in the class.
The five Inspiration-class frigates will form a key part of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, undertaking missions including interception, intelligence gathering, defence engagement and humanitarian support.