Royal yacht

[Andy O'Pray]

What happened to the Royal yacht?

Aye - Andy.

[Skiffle]

I thought they decommisioned it due to cost and lack of official use.

Bloody bean counters destrouing another british institution.

[Andy O'Pray]

I know that it was decommisioned, but was it sold, if so who bought it, or was it scrapped?

Aye - Andy.

[Sticky Blue]

She is berthed at Leith. A floating museum but there are a few things missing... like the gronk board from the barracks!! There are glass cabinets on the quay in a permenant museum with various uniforms that were worn on the yacht by the Marines, Band and Sailors who crewed her. I am told it is very good and well worth a look if you are passing.

[Skiffle]

Check out the following for more info-
http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

[Andy O'Pray]

Cheers Sticks, I will now go and impress the people I was having the discussion with.

Aye - Andy.

[Sticky Blue]

The gronk board was something to behold... some cracking women on it and some right frogadogapigs as well. It was from over quite a few years and all contributions came from within the barracks. The Royal Yacht Flash (worn by all ranks) is now gone but was replaced for the band by 'Royal Band' and they wear it all the time. It was given to the band in recognition of the band's service on the Yacht over the duration of her commission. It is also because HRH can call upon a nucleus of 26 (24 band + drum Major & Director of Music) to be anywhere she needs them at very short notice. She has not, as yet, made the call but the lads are waiting for it... If you are reading thim M'am can you please make it somewhere hot and exotic... oh and soon as well!

[Andy O'Pray]

The nearest that I got to the Royal yacht was when me and my oppo got laughed out of the company commander's office for volunteering to serve on the Royal yacht. I believe his words were. "It is more than my commission is worth to put your names forward." Rotten bar steward.

Aye - Andy.

[El Prez]

Andy, Britannia looks rather forlorn in Leith. She was a cracker of a ship and gave the old emotions quite a twang every time she slipped into Aberdeen with HMQ for her summer hols. A real magnet wherever she docked and a great loss to the nation. Blur has almost spent more on wining and dining, and flogging round the world than a new one would have cost. I know what I'd rather have paid for.

[barryc]

Rob,

I agree about the Blair prat but don't forget the lovely and adorable Mrs Blair profs for Britain with all the freebies she helps herself to. You really have to put that into the balance of payments before you criticise the poor dears.

Barry

[TaffBoz]

I once got a bollocking for splashing the Royal Yacht.

1977 Silver Jubilee Thames river pageant. Boss and I (1RSRM) carrying out a recce of the route. On passing the yacht in the Pool of London we were hailed by a naval chappie, with gold up to his elbows, requesting that we "Do not splash the Royal Yacht". Umm very good sir.

[Mike]

Six months prior to leaving the mob, and serving my last few weeks on the Victory, I had the usual 'Into my office Royal' routine, or at least it was then, and 'Do you really want to go out into that orrible civvie world, coz if you do'nt we will give you a nice little bunk on the Royal Yacht' I must admitt I did think about it..... for about a minute, I had already got this job and here I've been ever since.... I made the right choice... so my wife tells me!

[El Prez]

HMRYB was berthed in Belfast Harbour during the Silver Jubilee celebrations, one of our extra tasks for the duration was 'top cover' to prevent any doomer flying too close or threatening security. As an antidote we had the left hand door off and our gunner sported an SLR. WOW. Not exactly 'top gun stuff', but when eventually a dimmo flew up from the South, didn't respond to any calls and ignored ATC at Belfast Harbour we cut across him, giving him a good look at the black hole at the end of the SLR, he soon beetled off home, and then apologised for not using his radios. 'Oim sorry Sir, we didn't know it would be a problem'.