THE Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship, which was fitted out and named in Barrow, has made a final visit to its affiliated city before being decommissioned.
HMS Ocean has visited the Port of Sunderland for a final farewell weekend. The aircraft carrier will be leaving naval service in the spring of next year after 20 years in service.
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There was a freedom parade through Sunderland by the ship's company yesterday, accompanied by the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.
HMS Ocean was commissioned in September 1998. The ship fitted out at Barrow shipyard and was named in Barrow by Her Majesty the Queen in February 1998.
The 667ft-long ship is an amphibious helicopter carrier and the Royal Navy's biggest ship at a staggering 21,500 tonnes. With a top speed of 18 knots - equivalent to around 21 mph - the ship can accommodate almost 1,300 people and 40 vehicles.
The aircraft carrier is set to be replaced by the brand new HMS Queen Elizabeth.
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