HMS Queen Elizabeth is a 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, currently being built in Rosyth dockyard in Fife. Alongside its sister ship the Prince of Wales they will be the UK’s biggest ever warships. These flagships are not only impressive in size but also in capabilities with focus on efficiency, reducing through life cost and technology. Our RISE Nofirno and SLIPSIL systems have been used across each vessel to seal around 11,000 pipe penetrations.

The official naming ceremony by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held on 4th July at Rosyth. The naming of the warship comes five years after the first metal was cut on the vessel and 33 months after the first section entered the drydock at Rosyth for assembly.

In an operation that started after the naming ceremony, the dry dock was flooded to allow the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier to float for the first time.

With only 2 metres of clearance it then took three hours on the 17 July to carefully manoeuvre HMS Queen Elizabeth out of the dock and then berth her alongside on a nearby jetty. Teams will now continue to outfit the ship, including completion of the pipe penetration seals, in preparation for sea trials in 2016.

The dock she vacates will be used for final assembly of her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, which will begin in September when the first blocks being built in Portsmouth and Glasgow will arrive at Rosyth.

CSD is very proud to be part of this project actively providing technical support, advice and assisting with installation during the construction phase.