Royal Navy: HMS Queen Elizabeth sailing from Portsmouth postponed due to "weather conditions"
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
A Royal Navy aircraft carrier due to leave Portsmouth has had her sailing postponed.
HMS Queen Elizabeth was scheduled to leave HMNB Portsmouth tomorrow afternoon (July 15). A previous entry in the King’s Harbour Master shipping movements said would have set sail from the Princes Royal Jetty and pass the The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth at roughly 3.55pm.
A large pilot and tug escort was planned involving Tempest, Bountiful, Independent, Indulgent, Englisham, and Scotsman. The carrier was due to reach the NAB Tower at 4.50pm, but this has been altered. A Royal Navy spokesperson said all sailings are subject to change due to “tidal and weather conditions”.
What has been going on aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth?
While her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales has been in charge of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) on Operation Highmast, HMS Queen Elizabeth has been in Portsmouth. Various diplomatic and ceremonial duties have taken place aboard the ship’s huge flight deck.
Sailors have also taken the opportunity to complete various training courses, while other routine maintenance work aboard the carrier has been completed. Six American Midshipmen from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis were hosted aboard ship last month. Personnel learned about how the Royal Navy operates, and how they train with international forces.
Various personnel associated with the carrier were acclaimed in the King’s Birthday Honours list. A social media statement said: “Congratulations to Surgeon Commander Matthew Osborne, Leading Logistician David La Croix and Chief Petty Officer Elizabeth Howard who are (or have very recently been) part of the HMS Queen Elizabeth team and whose service was recognised in His Majesty's Birthday Honours.”