Solihull at Sea
06.05.2009
Three very lucky young people from Knowle Sea Scout Group have been to sea aboard HMS Daring; the latest addition to the Royal Navy's fleet and the first of six Type 45 Destroyers currently being built. The Sea Scouts were invited to join HMS Daring whilst she conducts sea trials in the English Channel, along with representatives from the City of Birmingham. The ship undertook maneuvers at high speed, landed a Merlin antisubmarine helicopter, and exercised with a Sea Hawk fighter jet from the Fleet Air Arm. They also had a detailed tour of the ship, watched a fire fighting drill, and stood on the bridge as the ship was navigated back into Portsmouth.
On safely reaching dry land, seventeen year old S/Lt Jon Hotchkiss said "HMS Daring is an amazing ship and it was fantastic to be able to go to sea on her. The ship is very fast and agile and during the turning maneuvers we actually had to hold on to stop us from falling. We watched the radar track hundreds of aircraft within the area, and being on the bridge while the ship was brought back into harbour was really special".
HMS Daring is due to be commissioned in July following six years of construction, and Knowle Sea Scout Group is proud to be affiliated to the most advanced and most powerful warship in the world. The affiliation with the ship, and the men and women who serve on her, will last for many decades until she retires from service.
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