Royal Navy's HMS Spey goes into the Solent under the White Ensign for the first time

It is the next step in HMS Spey’s progression to becoming a fully-fledged member of the Overseas Patrol Squadron.

Spey’s Ready for Sea Date inspection was recently passed, allowing Commanding Officer Ben Evans to take the 90-metre patrol vessel out for the start of the next phase of tests, trials and training.

He said: ‘The ship’s company and I have been enjoying a succession of firsts with HMS Spey, and there will be more to come as we build towards the excitement of our first operational deployment.’

The deployment has not yet been revealed.

Fleet Operational Sea Training will need to be negotiated this year after the ship’s company have grown accustomed to their new home.

The fifth and final of the second-generation of River-class ships built for the Royal Navy, Spey arrived in Portsmouth in October under the Blue Ensign as a ship in public service but was yet to enter the Royal Navy. That changed in early January when the White Ensign replaced Blue.

After receiving a ship’s company of around 60 men and women, who will rotate off and on-watch to maintain a crew of about 45 on board at any time, the road to operational status can begin.

Designed for work in UK waters or overseas with a mess deck for 50 embarked troops and a helipad capable of receiving the Fleet Air Arm’s Wildcat or Merlin.

When she becomes operationally active she will be the eighth River class vessel in Royal Navy service with HMS Forth, Medway on operations in the South and North Atlantic and Mediterranean respectively. The other patrol vessels are active in UK waters.