WIRRAL-built polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough left Cammell Laird shipyard to start technical sea trials - and Globe readers captured the historic moment on camera.
Built in honour of the broadcasting legend, it sailed across the Mersey to the Liverpool cruise terminal on Wednesday afternoon for crew familiarisation.
The RRS Sir David Attenborough leaves Cammell Laird on Wednesday. Picture: Iain Farebrother
It is due to move on for 14 days of technical trials off the coast of North Wales.
Cammell Laird engineers and BAS mariners will put the ship through its paces, performing operational checks on the propulsion, steering, engineering and navigation systems.
When technical tests are complete, the BAS ship crew will take over and spend 50 days intensive training at Holyhead Port before embarking on operational and scientific equipment trials around the Irish Sea.
The RRS Attenborough and Tug Boat. Picture: Sue Freeman
Unveiled during a ceremony at the Birkenhead yard last year, it is scheduled to enter full service in November, when it will be formally handed over to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Its missions are critical for understanding and making sense of our changing climate.
More than 4,000 people watched the ship's unveiling at Cammell Laird in September last year, celebrating the end of work on the vessel.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended, along with Sir David, who said it was the "greatest possible honour" for the ship to carry his name.
Highlighting its importance, he added: "It's no news to any of you that the world is facing great, great problems and the most aware of that are the young people of today, who will inherit this world.
"Great problems require great research and facts in order to solve them.
"That's what this astonishing ship will be here to do, to find out the facts and find the science with which to deal with problems that are facing the world today and will increasingly do so tomorrow.
"There could be no more important function for any ship, anywhere in the world, than those which are going to be dealt with by this remarkable ship, at the cutting edge of science."
Related story: https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/18809325.rrs-sir-david-attenborough-setting-off-sea-trials-today/
Above: Setting off from Laird's. Picture: Sue Freeman
Iain Farebrother
Above: On the river. Picture: Deb Barker - Wirral Globe Camera Club
Above and below: Cammell Laird staff and spectators watch RRS Sir David Attenborough set off. Pictures: Iain Farebrother
The team will test anchoring, manoeuvring, dynamic positioning, and helideck landing.
Early next year the ship will undertake ice trials in the Arctic, and in November 2021 make its maiden voyage to Antarctica.
The start of sea trials is a major milestone in the four-year build programme, and an exceptional achievement for Cammell Laird.
Passing by. Picture: Antony Jenkins - Wirral Globe Camera Club
Moving ahead. Picture: Antony Jenkins - Wirral Globe Camera Club
Passing the Liver Building. Picture: Sue Freeman
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