Daring Makes Sail for Portsmouth

Daring, the first of the Royal Navy's new fleet of Type 45 destroyers, left the Clyde for the final time today, heading for her home port of Portsmouth.>> Following the successful completion and trialling of the ship by the BVT workforce in partnership with the Royal Navy, Daring is now making her way to 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 in Glasgow to wave Daring off today, Friday 16 January 2009, 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.