HMS Queen Elizabeth found to have significant leaks during sea trials, may cost millions of Pounds to repair
Launched just weeks ago, the Royal Navy’s new £3.1billion aircraft carrier has a ‘significant’ defect – and could cost millions to repair. Top brass on the HMS Queen Elizabeth said the crew found the fault – which affects an inflatable seal around one of the propeller shafts – during sea trials.
It is now causing the carrier to take on 200 litres of water every hour. The UK’s largest warship, which is currently in Portsmouth, may have to be moved to a dry dock for repairs. Insiders blamed the leak on Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), the partnership that built the vessel.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘An issue with a shaft seal has been identified during HMS Queen Elizabeth’s sea trials; this is scheduled for repair while she is alongside at Portsmouth.
‘It does not prevent her from sailing again and her sea trials programme will not be affected.’ An ACA spokesman told The Sun: ‘It is normal practice for a volume of work and defect resolution to continue following vessel acceptance.’
Lucky found out during trials already. If not...
Then again, this is the point of sea trials, right?
even the best-built ships, be she flying the white or red ensigns, suffer from the dastard shaft seal leaks.