Navy’s new £3bn aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales stranded for six months after second flood blows electrics
THE Navy’s newest aircraft carrier will be stranded another six months after a second flood blew electrics. HMS Prince of Wales was due to sail to the US to train with F-35 jets. But the £3.1billion vessel has been banned from leaving Portsmouth on safety grounds until spring, a year after she last sailed. The […]
THE Navy’s newest aircraft carrier will be stranded another six months after a second flood blew electrics.
HMS Prince of Wales was due to sail to the US to train with F-35 jets.
But the £3.1billion vessel has been banned from leaving Portsmouth on safety grounds until spring, a year after she last sailed.
The flood was caused by a burst fire main.
Thousands of gallons of sea water poured into an engine room and submerged electrical cabinets for over 24 hours.
Miles of cables are being assessed.
The 1,000ft ship, the Navy’s biggest, relies on electricity produced by diesel engines and gas turbines to turn 33-ton propellers.
A source said: “It’s embarrassing. The America trip took years of planning and we’ve had to say we can’t come.
“It will take months to repair the damage. Costs will run to millions.”
In May a video emerged showing water pouring through a ceiling into a living quarters.
The Navy said that was a minor issue.
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It insists the carrier will be operational by 2023 on schedule.
Other setbacks have seen sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth cut short trials because of a leaky propeller.
Six Type 45 destroyers recently needed new engines in a £160million refit after breakdowns left them “dead in the water”.
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