New assault ship HMS Albion is in the final stages of sea trials as she prepares to join the Fleet early in the summer.

Albion, the first of a new class of two ships, put to sea for the first time on December 16 to conduct Phase 1 of Contractors Sea Trials.

As the warship – officially designated a Landing Platform Dock or LPD – was in the hands of prime contractor BAE Systems, she sailed from Barrow under the Blue Ensign, with Capt Jake Backus RN Rtd as her Master for the trials.

A specialised, largely Marine Engineering, team of 78 Royal Navy staff assumed responsibility for the safety of the ship in the form of the Emergency Party, with the bridge and galley also being manned almost entirely by Naval personnel.

The first part of the trials saw the ship being put through her paces in the Firth of Clyde, with serials taking place on propulsion, navigational and communication equipments.

Albion features many new systems, not least electric propulsion, a fully automated and computurised Platform Management System and a comprehensive suite of command and control systems.

Therefore, the initial success of these trials, with all but minor teething problems, was particularly pleasing.

The ship entered Greenock on December 21 for a docking period in Inchgreen over the Christmas and New Year period.

The opportunity was taken to remove the ‘launch gear’ and undertake some minor hull preservation which had not been possible whilst the ship was fitting-out in the basin at Barrow.

Albion put to sea again on January 7 for Phase 2 of trials, but on this occasion she took the opportunity to embark the ship’s company – a total of 270 men and women – in two tranches, drawn from the Base Personnel Unit (BPU) in Devonport, Royal Marines from Poole (6ASRM) and some of those who had been standing by in Barrow.

The BPU had come together in early December, personnel having returned from being ‘loaned out’ on a variety of tasks and duties, including Operation Fresco (covering for striking firefighters), to start their induction process.

After the Christmas break, the first element of 121 embarked off Largs for five days of whole-ship familiarisation and circuit training.

A change-over on January 12 allowed the second tranche the chance to experience the ship first-hand and to sail her back into Barrow.

When the ship returned, nearly all the ship’s company had been able to spend at least four nights away, and their induction was complete.

In addition to the roulement of Naval personnel, BAE Systems had more than 200 contractors and sub-contractors on board, either involved in the trials or continuing with the installation of equipment and fitting-out.

For a first-of-class major capital warship, BAE Systems and the MOD LPD(R) Integrated Project Team considered the trials a significant success.

However, it was not all work and no play. With the help of some seasoned hands (or trainers), BAE held a horse-racing night and raised £326 for the ship’s adopted charity, Claire House School, near Chester.

The ship’s company are due to move on board before the end of the month in anticipation of leaving Barrow for the final time and sailing for final sea trials and delivery voyage, arriving in Devonport in early March.

The ship will then commence the Safety and Readiness Check, trials and operational training process, with an in-Service date of around June.

Albion and her sister Bulwark were designed to replace the veteran assault ships HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid.

Pictures: Mike Vallance (copyright BAE Systems)