Warship spotted off coast near Peterhead and Fraserburgh

The 284-metre-long vessel was seen in the North Sea.

By Louise Glen

March 21 2024, 2:17 pm

Warship heading to Rosyth for urgent repairs to its starboard prop shaft. Image: Steven Patterson

An impressive warship has been spotted off the coast of Peterhead and Fraserburgh.

The aircraft carrier the HMS Queen Elizabeth left Glen Mallan in Loch Long on March 19 to sail to Rosyth.

The 65,000-tonne vessel requires essential maintenance on her starboard propeller shaft coupling.

The ship had to be withdrawn from the Nato exercise Steadfast Defender last month as a result of the issues.

She was replaced by her sister ship, the HMS Prince of Wales, which left Rosyth last summer after undergoing repairs of her own.

According to Forces Net, the vessel left Portsmouth with great fanfare, as locals lined the coastline to see her leave.

Peterhead LIve shared pictures of the warship. — HMS Queen Elizabeth heading from Glen Mallan to Rosyth for urgent repairs to its starboard prop shaft. Image: Steven Patterson.

The Queen Elizabeth was replaced on the call of duty by her sister ship, the HMS Prince of Wales.

A Royal Navy Spokesperson confirmed it was the HMS Queen Elizabeth, a spokesperson said: “The aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is en route to Rosyth in Scotland so that any necessary repairs can be carried out on her starboard propeller shaft coupling.”

The ship has now arrived in Rosyth.