U-turn Navy vessel back in port

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/7236326.stm

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A Royal Navy vessel on its way to a diplomatic tour in the Indian Ocean has been unable to leave port for a second time due to mechanical failures.

HMS Illustrious is in Portland, Dorset, after a system that stops oil being discharged from the ship became faulty.

The ship first left Portsmouth on 21 January to carry out exercises in the Channel before its four-month tour.

But a faulty refrigeration unit meant it was forced to do a U-turn for repairs, finally leaving on 25 January.

A Royal Navy spokeswoman said the visit to Portland was planned despite the latest mechanical problems preventing the vessel returning to sea.

She said the fault was with the "oily water separator system", which is used to remove oil from water in the ship's bilges, before it is discharged into the sea.

The vessel is due to leave on Sunday, she added.

In December 2004 HMS Illustrious returned to service after a £120m refit.

The two-year revamp was designed to extend the working life of the 20,000-tonne ship by up to 10 years.