On a warm and sunny bank holiday morning, HMS Edinburgh slipped her lines from Portsmouth and began her final voyage around the UK. This marks a milestone in her 30 year long career serving in the Royal Navy, in which she has sailed around the world on operations, clocking up over 600,000 miles.
Whilst on the tour around the UK, HMS Edinburgh will be taking part in the Battle of the Atlantic commemorations both in London and Liverpool.
She will be joining HMS Illustrious and HMS Blythe in London where they will provide a platform to welcome onboard members of the public and will host a number of VIPs and dignitaries during this high profile visit.
Whilst transiting from Portsmouth to London, HMS Edinburgh welcomed some friends and families of the Ship’s Company onboard giving them the opportunity to experience life on board an operational warship for a couple of days at sea.
Friends and family members experienced the Ship leaving Portsmouth for the final time and were able to witness various exercises being conducted, including the chance to take part in Small Arms Firing At Sea (SAFAS) and drive the ship for a Man Overboard Exercise.
HMS Edinburgh is due to visit Edinburgh, her affiliated home city, after leaving London following which she will transit to Liverpool before making her final entry into Portsmouth.
She will be escorted through the Solent by HMS Diamond, one of the new Type 45 Destroyers built to replace HMS Edinburgh and her sister ships.
[mappress] Press Release, May 7, 2013; Image: Royal Navy