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Each vessel that flies the UK flag will have great affinity from those who served on them and the general public.
With the Royal Navy continuing to modernise and implement new capabilities, we will be saying more heartfelt goodbyes to those that came before. Large crowds gather to see them leave Portsmouth for the last time.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) often sells ships to other countries if they are functional, with many requiring restoration before being handed over. This is to try and reduce ongoing costs.
Some of the ships sold or donated to other nations have been seen sailing around Portsmouth. Many of them however are sold to recycling yards to be scrapped, primarily in Turkey.
Here are a few ships which have been scrapped or sold in recent years.
5. HMS Montrose
HMS Montrose, a Duke-class Type 23 frigate, was decommissioned at a ceremony in HMNB Portsmouth on April 17, 2023. Her fate has yet to be determined. | Sarah Standing (170423-1988)
6. HMS Enterprise
HMS Enterprise, an Echo-class survey vessel - hydrographic oceanographic (SVHO), was decommissioned at Portsmouth Naval Base on march 30, 2023. | Sarah Standing (300323-1764)
7. HMS Shoreham
HMS Shoreham, a Sandown-class minehunter, was donated to Ukraine and is now known as Cherkasy. She has been seen in the Portsmouth area recently. | LPhot Henry Parks/MoD Crown Copy
8. HMS Grimsby
HMS Grimsby, a Sandown-class minehunter, was donated to Ukraine and is now known as Chernihiv. | LPhot Henry Parks/MoD Crown Copy