'Green' Ark Royal makes waves
NOSING majestically out into the sparkling, sunlit waters of the Solent, the aircraft carrier Ark Royal puts to sea again after a £12million refit.
The pride of the Royal Navy left Portsmouth yesterday to embark on two weeks of sea trials.
The ship has been laid up for seven months while its engines were overhauled to make it “faster, leaner and greener”.
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been cut by nine per cent and the 20,000-ton vessel’s top speed has increased by two knots to 30 knots.
Even the hull has been coated with a special paint to make it cut through the water more easily.
Other work included new exhaust systems, an updated computer network and improvements to the sewage treatment plants.
Captain John Clink said: “We are looking forward to reclaiming our place as the flagship of the UK fleet.”