THE crew have joined HMS Venturer – the first of five Type 31 Royal Navy frigates – which is currently under construction in Rosyth as part of a £1.25 billion contract.

Nine sailors, led by senior naval officer Commander Chris Cozens, are the first of the warship’s company which will grow to more than 100 when it joins the fleet.

Workers at Babcock began construction on the 5,700 tonne vessel in September 2021, she'll be ready within a year and all five should be delivered by 2028.

Dunfermline Press: Construction work began on HMS Venturer in September 2021.Construction work began on HMS Venturer in September 2021. (Image: Royal Navy)

Commander Cozens said: “The crew are the beating heart of the ship, turning cold steel into a warship.

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to bring an inspirational and innovative ship into service quickly through highly experienced, empowered Royal Navy engineers, logisticians and operators who will be at the forefront of this new model, trusted to deliver.

“HMS Venturer is the epitome of the national shipbuilding strategy, procured in a very different way where industry and defence work seamlessly side by side.

Dunfermline Press: Commander Chris Cozens will be in charge of the new Type 31 frigate. Commander Chris Cozens will be in charge of the new Type 31 frigate. (Image: Royal Navy)

"It is privilege to be part of the team bringing in the very latest maritime technology to serve Britain’s global ambitions.”

READ MORE: Babcock claim for Type 31 cash 'rejected in full'

The Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates are designed for a wide variety of roles around the world, with each ship drawing its name from an historic Royal Navy vessel whose deeds have served to inspire future generations of sailors.

READ MORE: Rosyth Dockyard on an even keel as construction begins on frigates

In Venturer’s case, she honours a World War Two submarine which famously torpedoed a German U-boat while both vessels were submerged.

Armed with Sea Ceptor air defence missiles, a 57mm and two 40mm guns, a 4D radar – which is brand new to the Royal Navy – and carrying either a Wildcat or Merlin helicopter and up to three sea boats, HMS Venturer will be a key capability in delivering maritime security tasks.

The Type 31s are one of two classes of frigate under construction.

They will conduct duties around the globe where the presence of a major Royal Navy warship is required – such as curbing drugs trafficking in the Caribbean or Middle East, working with NATO in the Mediterranean, and providing humanitarian relief and assistance to those that need it.

Dunfermline Press: HMS Venturer should emerge from the shipbuilding hall that bears her name within a year. HMS Venturer should emerge from the shipbuilding hall that bears her name within a year. (Image: Royal Navy)

Venturer is due to emerge from the construction hall at Babcock’s Rosyth facility within a year and the growing ship’s company will work side-by-side with the Ministry of Defence and shipbuilders to understand how to operate the ship and deliver it into service.

READ MORE: Steel cut on second Royal Navy frigate at Rosyth

Junior ratings such as Andrew Fleming will proudly wear the first ‘HMS Venturer’ cap tally in decades and he said: “It’s a privilege to be part of the first crew of the first of the new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates.

“I look forward to the challenge of standing by the ship in build as we progress towards sea trials and acceptance into service.”

Dunfermline Press: The first crew are shown progress on HMS Venturer, named after a famous World War Two submarine.The first crew are shown progress on HMS Venturer, named after a famous World War Two submarine. (Image: Royal Navy)

There was a major recruitment drive for the Type 31 programme and all units of HMS Venturer are now in production in Rosyth. 

HMS Venturer is taking shape in the dockyard's Venturer Building - the £60 million construction hall named after her as the first vessel in the Type 31 class.

Dunfermline Press: The first cap bearing HMS Venturer's name.The first cap bearing HMS Venturer's name. (Image: Royal Navy)

Derek Jones, managing director at Babcock, said: “Welcoming the first of HMS Venturer’s crew, joining the ship at our Rosyth facility is another significant milestone on the Type 31 programme.

“Our customer and the mission we share inspires Babcock Team 31 every day, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our Royal Navy and MoD partners as the programme progresses.”

Once accepted from Babcock, all five ships will undergo a period of capability upgrades and demonstration trials before entering service with the Royal Navy.