Saturday’s planned public tours aboard HMS Prince of Wales in Liverpool have been cancelled due to severe weather concerns.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for strong winds, with the alert lasting from 1am to 9pm on Saturday. This decision prioritises public safety amid the hazardous conditions expected.
The aircraft carrier, currently docked at Liverpool’s Cruise Terminal, has been a focal point of local celebrations this week. Highlighting its connection to the city, the vessel is set to receive the Freedom of Liverpool honour today, accompanied by a parade through the city centre. Earlier in the week, a commemorative Penny Lane street sign was unveiled onboard, cementing the ship’s symbolic ties to Liverpool.
#UPDATE | 🚨 Due to an Amber Weather Warning for strong winds, public viewing of @HMSPWLS has been cancelled for Saturday 7 December.
The @RoyalNavy, along with @Global_Ports and @lpoolcouncil sincerely apologise for any inconvenience – your safety remains our top priority.… pic.twitter.com/QyfDIyi6MD
— Culture Liverpool (@CultureLPool) December 6, 2024
Tickets for the weekend viewings had already been sold, but organisers have confirmed that tomorrow’s events will not proceed. Culture Liverpool announced:
“Due to an Amber Weather Warning for strong winds, public viewings of HMS Prince of Wales have been cancelled for Saturday 7 December. The Royal Navy, along with Global Ports and Liverpool Council, sincerely apologise for any inconvenience – your safety remains our top priority. Tickets are non-transferable, and alternative dates are unavailable due to the ship’s schedule. Public viewing on Sunday is currently still scheduled to go ahead.”
The weather warning has been issued due to the impacts of Storm Darragh, which is expected to bring damaging winds. The Met Office cautions that the storm could cause structural damage, including roof collapses and downed power lines.
While Saturday’s events have been called off, Sunday’s schedule remains intact for now, contingent on weather conditions. Visitors and enthusiasts are encouraged to stay updated as the situation develops.
Tomorrow will be even worse. I’ve been on night shifts on the landing stage where the carrier is berthed for the steam packet, it gets bouncy at a moderate wind speed. The Bouncy nights were the best until I had to go out in the rain. You could see right down the landing stage and see it undulating, doors in the booking office swaying, while the car bridge moving and banging, and standing the bouncing pontoon. Yep, nights were dull when if conder that exciting.
Never mind Coll
Not many of us ever got seasick on the landing stage
Did you go to the ship?