Navy Days in Portsmouth
2 August 2010, 12:35 | Updated: 2 August 2010, 12:40
Navy Days 2010 takes place at Portsmouth Naval Base and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
The crowds were given a glimpse of the past, present and future Navy during the event, with new formidable Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and Dauntless proving the biggest hit.
Organisers say the wide variety of ships, attractions and displays plus the generally dry weather combined to make it such a success.
As well as Daring and Dauntless, six other ships, including ‘floating hospital’ Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus - fresh from a recent refit - were open to the public. The historic duo of HMS Victory and Warrior also proved a big draw as did an exhibition by BAE Systems featuring its current shipbuilding projects including the two Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers which will be based in Portsmouth. There was also a look to the future with the planned Type 26 combat ship set to replace the Navy’s current fleet of Type 22 and 23 frigates. And BAE’s digital robot Brains, which hosted the exhibition, astounded visitors of all ages with its hi-tech capabilities.
A wide variety of harbour and arena displays also pulled in the crowds, with many hundreds lining the flight decks of the ships and the quayside to watch anti-piracy fast-roping demonstrations from the Royal Marines’ Fleet Protection Group and other air and waterborne events.
Another new addition to the Navy Days line-up is an anti-submarine Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron which will be next to Bloodhound on each of the three days.
Deputy Naval Base Commander, Captain Paul Lemkes, said:
"Navy Days is a fantastic opportunity for the Royal Navy to be able to show the public, close up, the capabilities it contributes to UK Defence. The line-up of ships give visitors a true feel of the wide variety of tasks carried out and I am particularly delighted that we (had) two Type 45 destroyers on show in their home port so that visitors (were) able to see how the Royal Navy is maintaining its place at the forefront of maritime operations with this cutting edge class of warship."
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