Daring, the first of the Royal Navy's new fleet of Type 45
Destroyers, has left the Clyde for the final time today. Following
the successful completion and trialling of the ship by the BVT
workforce in partnership with the Royal Navy, Daring is now ready
to make her way to her home port of Portsmouth, where she will
remain until she enters service at the end of the year and where
she will be stationed when not on active duty.
BVT employees gathered on the quayside to wave Daring off and
received cheers of thanks from the Royal Navy crew onboard. The
crew were also keen to thank Glasgow for the support they have
received during their time in the city, something which was
expressed by the ship's Commanding Officer, Captain Paul Bennett
OBE; "On behalf of Daring's crew I want to give my heartfelt thanks
to the city of Glasgow for the support we have been shown since the
first sailor arrived at Scotstoun in 2006. For some, Glasgow has
been their home for almost three years and it has been a great
place to be stationed. The ship's company and I have been very much
looking forward to the day when we would be able to take charge of
Daring and begin our journey to her home port of Portsmouth and
hopefully a very successful future on this magnificent ship."
BVT's Type 45 Programme Director, Angus Holt, said; "This is a
fantastic day for BVT and the workforce, both here and in
Portsmouth, who have played a pivotal role in creating such a
tremendous ship. Daring really is the shape of things to come for
the Royal Navy and it is a very proud day for everyone
involved."
Christina Martin who completed her apprenticeship working on
Daring said; "Daring is the ship that I learned my trade as an
engineer on and while I'll miss having her on the yard it is still
great to see her finally leave Glasgow and start her future with
the Royal Navy. Throughout my training I was always taught that we
needed to make sure that the finished product was the very best it
could be. I feel we have achieved that with Daring so am very proud
to have played a part in building her."
The Type 45 destroyers will be the flagships of the Royal Navy
fleet once in service and will provide the backbone of the UK's
naval air defences for much of the next 50 years. The fleet of
ships has provided stability to the Clyde yards over recent years,
developing and protecting vital skills for the UK maritime
industry. Daring's departure marks the completion of her build and
integration programme in Glasgow and the success which has been
achieved to date by the BVT workforce. The company will continue to
support Daring ships in-service throughout her lifetime.#
About BVT Surface Fleet
BVT Surface Fleet, a Joint Venture between BAE Systems and VT
Group, is a leader in the design, manufacture, integration and
support of naval ships, delivering complex engineering, integration
and through-life support across the lifecycle of a vessel.
With operations in Glasgow, Portsmouth and Filton near Bristol,
it employs over 7,000 people and has the facilities, skills and
partnerships to set the global standard in excellence as a trusted
and innovative through-life surface warship partner in both the UK
and export markets.
Further information about BVT Surface Fleet is available at BVT Surface Fleet.