First crew join Rosyth's aircraft carriers
Published 3 Oct 2012 09:05
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LEADING Hand Claire Butler (29) made history on Tuesday when she became the first member of crew to join the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth at Rosyth.
Claire was presented with the first HMS Queen Elizabeth cap tally (hat band) by Rear Admiral Steve Brunton at the head of the ships' assembly dock in Babcock's Rosyth facility.
Claire is one of eight Royal Navy staff selected as the first Ship's Company - crew members - to join the ship during the assembly process.
Led by Captain Simon Petitt the crew will work alongside the Aircraft Carrier Alliance as HMS Queen Elizabeth - the first of two 65,000 tonne ships under construction for the Royal Navy - takes shape.
Claire said, "Becoming the first member of the Royal Navy to wear this cap tally is a fantastic honour.
"When she is fully operational HMS Queen Elizabeth will accommodate as many as 1600 men and women.
"My main task will be to set up the routines and procedures that will allow the rest of the crew to do their jobs.
"We are all well trained and as a team will make sure this warship becomes operational and helps to safeguard the world's oceans."
Captain Petitt said, "I am proud to be in charge of the small but rapidly growing team and I know that every one of my crew is also proud to be breathing life into this wonderful ship."
Ian Booth, Aircraft Carrier Alliance programme director, said, "The fact that the Aircraft Carrier Alliance has been joined by Royal Navy crew shows just how much this programme has developed.
"Thanks to the hard work of thousands of people all over the UK, HMS Queen Elizabeth is now really taking shape."
First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, added, "Every warship is brought to life by its people and this, the arrival of the first member of HMS Queen Elizabeth's Ships Company, marks a milestone in bringing this ship in to operational service."
The aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales are being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a unique partnering relationship between BAE Systems, Thales UK, Babcock and the UK Ministry of Defence.
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