Royal Navy sailors 'wrecked' RFA Diligence with crowbars and hammers, reports say as navy confirms investigation
THE Royal Navy has confirmed an investigation is underway after sailors reportedly boarded ship before going on a ‘wrecking spree’ with hammers and crowbars.
A report in The Sun said half a dozen drunken Royal Navy sailors evaded security guards to board RFA Diligence at the Royal Navy’s Portsmouth base.
The sailors are believed to have been caught on CCTV smashing portholes, furniture and timber structures.
After being contacted by The News, the navy confirmed it is aware of an incident but was unable to provide further comment due to an ongoing investigation.
A spokesman said: ‘We are aware of an incident on board the former support vessel RFA Diligence while it was berthed in HM Naval Base Portsmouth awaiting disposal.
‘As an investigation is underway it would be inappropriate to comment further.’
Technical equipment including radars, sonars and communications equipment are thought have already been removed from the 10,000-tonne vessel.
RFA Diligence has a distinguished history having served in both the Falklands and First Gulf War as well as taking part in the rescue mission after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Initially it was thought someone had broken into the ship, The Sun reported.