The HMS Iron Duke is back at sea for the first time in five years as it departed Plymouth on February 12.

The type 23 frigate sailed from the coasted city with engineers who have been working with the ship's crew to get her ready for sea at the international defence company’s Devonport facility.

nation’s most advanced frigate, is back at sea for the first time in more than five years.

The Type 23 frigate, known affectionately as the Iron Duck, sailed from Plymouth, supported by Babcock engineers who have been working with the ship’s crew to get her ready for sea at the international defence company’s Devonport facility.

In all, 1.7 million hours of labour from shipwrights, engineers, technicians and experts of the Babcock team, alongside the Royal Navy, contributed to the biggest overhaul of Duke-class ships to date in the life extension programme, including major structural work twice that of any other.