Royal Navy carrier HMS Prince of Wales to carry out safety exercises in Portsmouth Harbour

During this week and next week, HMS Prince of Wales will be out in Portsmouth Harbour, while essential work for the QE-class vessel continues.

As part of this work, her safety systems will be put to the test, including the deployment of life rafts and emergency chutes.

These would be put into action should the 700 crew members ever need to evacuate the 65,000 tonne carrier.

Posting on social media, HMNB Portsmouth tweeted: ‘Essential work continues on HMS Prince of Wales this week and into next, focusing on her safety systems.

‘From the Gosport side of the harbour you might see her life rafts or emergency chutes deployed at various times as part of that process, but it is only routine testing.’

The carrier returned to Portsmouth on March 25.

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