More than 25,000 visitors flocked to Portsmouth Naval Base for the three-day Navy Days extravaganza which ended today (Sunday).
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.
Commodore Rob Thompson, Naval Base Commander, said: “Navy Days was a huge success. The mainly dry and warm weather played a part but a big draw was seeing the Royal Navy’s ships and personnel at close hand. The event proved an exciting opportunity to show the general public the wide role of the Royal Navy and what its men and women are up to across the globe – from taking to the fight to the Taleban in Afghanistan to countering pirates in the Gulf of Aden.”
Robert Bruce, Managing Director of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which jointly staged the event with the Naval Base, said: “We were lucky with the weather but we were also pleased that the scale and variety of the whole event proved so popular.
“This was the operational navy and historic dockyard working together and the public were able to see how those two aspects of the Navy complement each other. It was about modern and historic warships side by side - something which is special to Portsmouth. We have had many more visitors than is normal, even on a busy summer’s weekend and we are delighted with the result.”
Alan Johnston, Managing Director at BAE Systems Surface Ships, said: "The huge crowds that have flocked here this weekend shows the tremendous amount of support for the Royal Navy here in Portsmouth. It really is a great day out for all the family and hopefully everyone has learned a bit more about the ships and people that serve our country and how our team at BAE Systems supports them here on the Naval Base."
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