HMS Ark Royal Ship's Programme 1987

Some dates may be approximate. If you are able to provide more accurate information or to correct an error then please email us.

January 1987

6th - 11th January - At sea for Shakedown.

12th January - Rendezvous with escorts for CARIBTRAIN deployment.

February 1987

1st February - Arrive in Barbados.

2nd February - Captain Michael Harris joins as new Commanding Officer.

3rd February - Captain Weatherall departs.

9th February - Depart from Barbados.

20th - 21st February - Anchor off Tortola, British Virgin Islands for beach banyans.

24th - 28th February - Visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

March 1987

7th - 16th? March - Visit to Mayport, Florida for Short Maintenence Period and station leave.

23rd - 27th? March - Visit to Charleston, South Carolina.

April 1987

9th April - Portsmouth for Short Maintenance Period (SMP) and Easter leave.

May 1987

May - ASW Exercises in North Western Approaches.

25th - 29th May - Staff College Sea Days.

June 1987

2nd June - Sail from Portsmouth.

3rd June - Pass through Thames Barrier to anchor off Greenwich.

8th June - White Ensign Association charity banquet held in the hangar and on the flight deck. Guest of honour, Princess Alexandra.

9th June - Informal visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

10th June - Sail from Greenwich.

12th June - Arrive Rosyth.

13th - 14th June - Rosyth Navy Days.

16th June - Sail from Rosyth.

16th - 25th June - Joint Maritime Course (JMC).

26th - 29th June - Rosyth.

29th - 30th June - Exercise HADRIAN'S WALL.

July 1987

1st July - Portsmouth.

3rd July - Families Day. Event includes filming of a song & dance routine by Grace Kennedy with the Nigel Lithgoe Dancers for an August edition of ITV's Summertime Special.

13th July - Commence Docking and Assisted Maintenance Period (DAMP).

August 1987

18th August - Move from dry dock.

29th - 31st August - Portsmouth Navy Days.

September 1987

1st - 4th September - Shakedown and Post-Maintenance Trials (at sea).

6th - 11th September - Royal Navy Equipment Exhibition (at sea). Includes visit by HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

14th September - Sail from Portsmouth for Shakedown and preparations for COST.

22nd September - Commence Continuation Operational Sea Training (COST) at Portland.

October 1987

11th October - FOST Final Inspection, COST complete.

14th - 21st October - Aviation Work Up.

21st - 23rd October - Operational Readiness Inspection.

23rd October - Portsmouth for Self Maintenance Period (SMP).

November 1987

2nd November - Sail from Portsmouth.

4th - 19th November - Exercise PURPLE WARRIOR.

20th - 23rd November - Visit to Cherbourg

24th November - Portsmouth.

December 1987

December - Base-Assisted Maintenence Period (BAMP) and Christmas leave.