Royal Navy: HMS Queen Elizabeth flight deck sprayed heavily with water while on sea trials - why

Images of the upper deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth being covered in water were released on social media. The 65,000 tonne warship left Portsmouth on November 4, with “proud” families gathering to watch their loved ones leave the city.

It was announced that the upper flight deck was sprayed as part of a training drill. This was to simulate a suspected chemical attack and prepare the ship’s company for any eventualities.

HMS Queen Elizabeth’s social media account said: “We have many ways to protect ourselves. One of the more unusual is a set of sprays that can coat the upper deck with water during a suspected chemical attack. These are checked regularly, which means our Marine Engineers need to get their dry-suits on!”

The £3.2bn aircraft carrier is back sea trials and routine training exercises. Pilots recently completed training drills, taking the helm of Wildcat and Merlin helicopters. Personnel from 825 Naval Air Squadron and 846 Naval Air Squadron were involved in the exercises.