HMS Prince of Wales remains at anchor in the Solent today (Wednesday) some 5 days after breaking down off the coast of the Isle of Wight whilst en route to the States.
The £3billion aircraft carrier was due to be undertaking training with the US Navy and Royal Canadian Navy but suffered a major breakdown on Saturday whilst a few miles off Ventnor – just hours after leaving Portsmouth.
It was assisted back to the sheltered waters of The Solent by tugs earlier this week, where divers have been inspecting the damage below the waterline.
Now, it has emerged that the warship will most likely have to go into dry dock to undergo major repairs to its propulsion system. National media outlets claim that a lack of greasing may have led to the prop shaft becoming damaged.
It’s thought that HMS Prince of Wales will head to Rosyth in Scotland, but may have to go to the Netherlands instead.
The problem relates to the starboard propeller shaft, as explained by Rear Admiral Steve Moorehouse:
Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse @smrmoorhouse updates on the situation with @HMSPWLS: “I’ve been to the ship today to see for myself what the issue is and how we in the Royal Navy can work together to make sure that the ship can successfully return to her tasking.” pic.twitter.com/yU9ogHVQDt
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) August 29, 2022
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New floating bridge?
Why don’t they just use the other one ?
More bad sailors will be along soon.
Why don’t you use your other brain cell, TTFT?
More bad comments will be along soon – mainly from you.
Need more than seaclear to push this vessel
Made by the same people that made the floating bridge?
Quite poor design if something which needs manual greasing does not flag up high temperature or increased friction warning on such a vital piece of equipment as the prop.
Reliable grease monkey’s aren’t guaranteed to always be sober or even a saboteur to trust to one person imo
Not enough grease, Then the Navy should contact the IWC ‘s 24/7 x365 contractor who keeps the floating bridge out of service ..
If they are short of grease then maybe they should attend a council planning meeting when large building contracts are discussed.
Take a pot and wipe all the palms of the councillors as they leave.
On such an important item such as the propulsion shaft one would assume auto lubricant would be utilised not some grease money with a pot of grease.
surely warning alarms would indicate over heating?
Mac Donalds would likely be able to help with lack of grease but yes, I thought such huge powerful shafts would be running in massive sealed for life bearings, not something requiring grease.
And yes alarms ought to be fitted to check temperature if friction becomes too high.
Likely planners had to concentrate more on PC issues such as ensuring there was enough disabled toilets, and a baby changing facility on every deck and fit signs in various languages in case a disabled mother of non English culture was lifted from the ocean.
Remember British Leyland
Yeah full parts and labour 10 mins warranty
Yep. Now we have left the corrupt EUSSR we will be able to go back to making “world beating” (© Boris Johnson) vehicles like the BL Ambassador and Allegro again.
The thing is it’s a brand new vessel. So why has it broken down? And five days. Why is nobody in any hurry to get it fixed? Maybe the Prime Minister is leaving it to his successor to sort out. Like everything else.
I think you misunderstand what a prime ministers responsibilities are. Fixing broken stuff in the Navy isnt one of them.
Boris isn’t remotely responsible for anything, that’s why he is being moved out office. A complete buffoon to say the least…
I’m sure Boris has plenty of grease and I hear he is looking for a new job.
Would make for a perfect free passenger Ferry Service
The Islands equivalent to the Free London Woolwich Ferry.
That will put an end to Wightlink and Red Funnel charging ridiculous fares.
The reason is simple. The government of the time tried to build 2 carriers on the cheap. Hence the problems.
Just as well it’s not in a war zone, how can something costing £3billion that’s 3000 x £1000000 break down after 40/50 miles?. Old aircraft carriers where torpedoed,set on fire, bombed etc but still kept moving. Even our car ferries have more than one engine and props to keep them moving. Think someone going to be sacked!