Sea vessels

In pictures: On board Proteus, the RFA's new vessel, at her formal dedication ceremony

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to Royal Navy personnel during a tour of RFA Proteus during his visit (Picture: MOD). — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, speaks to Royal Navy personnel during a tour of RFA Proteus (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty on the bridge of Proteus (Picture: MOD). — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty on the bridge of Proteus (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aboard RFA Proteus for the Service of Dedication (Picture: MOD). — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aboard RFA Proteus for the service of dedication (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aboard RFA Proteus for the Service of Dedication (Picture: MOD). — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aboard RFA Proteus for the service of dedication (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD). — RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, ahead of her service of dedication (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD). — RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, ahead of her service of dedication (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD). — RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, ahead of her service of dedication (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD). — RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, ahead of her service of dedication (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus' life boat pictured up close in London (Picture: MOD). — RFA Proteus' lifeboat pictured up close in London (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD). — RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, ahead of her service of dedication (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh makes his way from HMS Belfast to RFA Proteus, moored alongside (Picture: MOD). — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, makes his way from HMS Belfast to RFA Proteus, moored alongside (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh makes his way from HMS Belfast to RFA Proteus, moored alongside (Picture: MOD). — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, makes his way from HMS Belfast to RFA Proteus, moored alongside (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to Royal Navy personnel during a tour of RFA Proteus (Picture: MOD). — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, speaks to Royal Navy personnel during a tour of RFA Proteus (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to Royal Navy personnel during a tour of RFA Proteus during his visit (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty on the bridge of Proteus (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aboard RFA Proteus for the Service of Dedication (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh, and businesswoman Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aboard RFA Proteus for the Service of Dedication (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus' life boat pictured up close in London (Picture: MOD).

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast in London, on 9 October 2023, ahead of her Service of Dedication on 10 October 2023 (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh makes his way from HMS Belfast to RFA Proteus, moored alongside (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh makes his way from HMS Belfast to RFA Proteus, moored alongside (Picture: MOD).

HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to Royal Navy personnel during a tour of RFA Proteus (Picture: MOD).

Take a closer look at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's (RFA) new ship Proteus.

RFA Proteus started life as an oil rig support vessel and will now serve as a testbed for technology to be used beneath the waves.

The vessel was formally dedicated on the River Thames in front of RFA Commodore-in Chief, Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh and Akshata Murty, the wife of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is to serve as Proteus sponsor.

Proteus, named after the god of rivers and water in Greek mythology, will also be used as a launchpad for remotely operated vehicles and a number of specialist capabilities for the oil and gas industry.

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