HMS Spey Sets Sail For New Home At Portsmouth Naval Base

The fifth and final next-generation UK patrol ship is on her way to her new home at Portsmouth Naval Base.

HMS Spey left BAE Systems’ shipyard in Glasgow on Wednesday.

The departure of the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) marks the completion of the Batch 2 OPV project build phase.

HMS Spey recently completed a programme of successful sea trials and will soon join her four sister ships in the Royal Navy.

Mike Macfarlane, OPV delivery director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, said: "We are immensely proud of our role in delivering these ships to the Royal Navy and this is a landmark moment for the River Class Batch 2 OPV programme, which showcases the skills and expertise we have here on the Clyde."

The Royal Navy said earlier this month that HMS Spey will be crewed jointly by Royal Navy and merchant personnel on her journey down to Portsmouth on the south coast.

She will enter the port under the Blue Ensign, signifying a vessel in Government service, rather than one in the Royal Navy fleet, the Navy added. 

After arriving in Portsmouth, HMS Spey will be officially handed over to the Navy and then commissioned. 

The 2,000-tonne patrol ship is to form part of the Royal Navy’s programme of stationing warships around the world in areas key to Britain’s interests.

Sister patrol vessels HMS Forth and HMS Medway are already deployed to the Falklands and the Caribbean respectively, with the patrol areas of HMS Trent, HMS Tamar and Spey herself yet to be announced.

Last month, HMS Trent began her first operational deployment, helping to keep waters secure in the Mediterranean as part of a NATO mission.

The Royal Navy expects HMS Spey to be ready for frontline operations by the early summer of 2021.

Cover image: HMS Spey leaves BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow and starts her voyage towards Portsmouth Naval Base (Picture: BAE Systems).