(July 13th 2001)
Ark Royal Returns to Sea
Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal (R07) left Rosyth Dockyard on Friday July 13th following the completion of a major refit. Ark Royal then anchored several miles out in the Firth Forth, where she will conduct trials of the Merlin Helicopter. After three weeks of trials she will return to Rosyth to allow for summer leave before heading home to Portsmouth.
Ark Royal arrived at Rosyth under tow in May 1999. She had spent the previous four years languishing in mothballs at Portsmouth Dockyard. However, she is now the most modern of Britain's three aircraft carriers. Babcock Engineering Services' £147-million refit included lengthening the flightdeck, increasing the 'ski jump' elevation, replacing the main mast and upgrading the combat system, and enabled Ark Royal to operate both the RAF Harrier GR7 aircraft and the new Merlin anti-submarine helicopter.
At the height of the refit 500 people were working aboard Ark Royal and after two years alongside at the Fife Dockyard, she will be missed by the workforce. Drew Rance, Babcock's marketing manager, said "When she sails we will all be loosing a friend - she's seen very much as our Ark Royal".
Ark Royal's sistership, HMS Invincible (R05), is expected to arrive at Rosyth later this month in preparation for a smaller £50 million refit programme starting this November. Then in November 2002 HMS Illustrious (R06) is scheduled to begin a major 18 month overhaul.
Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram and Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown joined Ark Royal for her departure. Mr Ingram said: "Ark Royal has a unique capability and the refit has greatly enhanced her ability to operate in a joint environment. I look forward to her rejoining the Fleet".
Gordon Brown, whose Dunfermline East constituency includes Rosyth, paid tribute to those involved in the refit: "They have every reason to be very proud of the quality of their work and I am delighted they have won the contract to refit HMS Invincible on which work will start in November".
Commanding Officer, Captain David Snelson, who took up his appointment in May this year, said: "I am delighted to be in command of such a prestigious carrier, certainly the premier warship in the Royal Navy's fleet. The entire crew is looking forward to being back at sea and testing the ARK's full capabilities over the next three weeks, including trial landings for the new Merlin helicopter whilst off the coast of Scotland."