HMS Ark Royal Ship's Programme 1989

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

January 1989

January - Maintenance Period.

February 1989

February - Shakedown and Area Capability Tests at sea.

17th February - Portsmouth for conversion to LPH role.

22nd? February - Sail from Portsmouth for Excercise COLD WINTER off Norway. 

March 1989

16th March - Disembark 45 Commando off Arbroath.

17th March - Portsmouth for Easter Leave and revert to CVS role.

30th March - Sail from Portsmouth.

April 1989

1st - 21st April - Exercise SPRING TRAIN.

21st - 24th April - Visit to Gibraltar.

26th April - Portsmouth.

27th April - Captain John Brigstocke joins as Commanding Officer.

May 1989

1st May - Visit by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to mark the 50th anniversary of his joining the Royal Navy.

1st May - Sail from Portsmouth for Exercise MINIBUS.

5th May - Portsmouth.

10th May - Sail for Exercise SQUARE NUT with the Royal Netherlands Navy.

12th - 18th May - Visit to Hamburg.

22nd - 31st May - Exercise VENDETTA in the Norwegian Sea.

June 1989

1st June - Portsmouth.

5th - 9th June - Staff College Sea Days.

9th - 13th June - Portsmouth.

16th June - Rosyth.

17th - 18th June - Rosyth Navy Days.

20th June -  Sail from Rosyth.

20th - 30th June - Joint Maritime Course (JMC).

July 1989

7th July - Portsmouth for maintenance period and Summer leave.

August 1989

21st August - Sail for trials and Shakedown in Channel Exercise Areas.

24th August - Portsmouth

26th - 28th August - Portsmouth Navy Days.

September 1989

4th September - Sail from Portsmouth for weapons training.

8th - 21st September - Exercise SHARP SPEAR.

22nd September - Portsmouth.

October 1989

2nd October - Sail from Portsmouth.

4th October - NATO Advisory Council (NAC) Sea Day in Portland Exercise Areas.

5th - 9th October - Visit to Brest.

11th October - Visit to Lisbon (visit cut short due to violence ashore unconnected to Ark Royal).

13th October - Portsmouth.

20th October - Families Day at sea.

24th - 25th October - De-ammunitioning at Upper Harbour Ammunition Facility.

25th October - Commence major Docking  Assisted Maintenance Period (DAMP) in Portsmouth.

November 1989

18th November - Contingent of the Ship's Company march through the City of Leeds.

24th November - Advance Christmas leave commences (20%).

December 1989

13th December - Advance Christmas Leave ends.

15th December - Main Christmas Leave commences (80%).