HMS Somerset has let go of her berthing lines and headed out to sea for the first time in nearly four years.

HMS Somerset glides through Plymouth Sound after huge refit

The vessel left Devonport earlier today

by · PlymouthLive

HMS Somerset has headed out of Plymouth and to sea for the first time in nearly four years after getting a refit. The frigate underwent more than a million hours of work carried out by engineers, technicians and shipwrights, and left Devonport earlier today.

MoD and Royal Navy personnel alongside Babcock delivered the package of improvements, which began in November 2018. The ship has undergone repairs and structural improvements to its hull and living spaces, and has been fitted with Sea Ceptor defence missile.

The 133m, 4,900-tonne vessel was seen gliding through Plymouth Sound earlier today following the work, which will allow it to remain in use until successor ships are constructed later this decade. The project team waved off the ship as it left Devonport.

Read more: Belgian warship and Royal Navy among eight military ships spotted in Plymouth Sound

Its journey comes after eight military vessels were spotted in Plymouth Sound yesterday. As reported by PlymouthLive, a Belgian warship joined a number of Navy vessels.

Gary Simpson, managing director of Babcock's marine support business, said: "Our support to the Type 23 class draws on our experience and unique engineering expertise to update and upgrade these frigates and deliver them back to the Royal Navy with the capability they need to successfully operate beyond their original design life. I am really proud of our teams for completing another major overhaul of a Type 23 frigate, as part of the life extension programme, ensuring the frigates are fighting fit for operational duties across the globe.”

HMS Somerset will be carrying out trials off the south coast in the coming weeks.

ET Lucy Evans said: "I have been a member of HMS Somerset since May 2021 supporting the rest of the ship's company to get the ship to the required standard to sail. I’m really looking forward to sailing as this will be my first time at sea with the Royal Navy.”

HMS Somerset will spend the next few weeks off the south coast conducting trials and training, before returning to the fleet ready for operation.

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