The HMS Prince of Wales appears to be on the move again this afternoon (Monday), but instead of heading for exercises in the USA, the aircraft carrier seems to be bound an anchorage point nearer Portsmouth.
The £3 billion warship has been at anchor off the Isle of Wight, after breaking down on Saturday.
The 65,000-tonne warship's voyage was cut short just moments after leaving Portsmouth, via the Solent, past Southsea's Victorious Festival.
The departure had previously been delayed from Friday, August 26, because of a technical issue.
Read more:
- Royal Navy update on HMS Prince of Wales off Isle of Wight coast
- Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales at anchor off Isle of Wight
Now, HMS Prince of Wales, surrounded by Portsmouth-based tugs and a pilot boat, appears to be making an escorted journey back towards her home port.
Earlier, two other warships were spotted off Isle of Wight's south coast, near the aircraft carrier.
On social media, the Royal Navy said: "You might be aware of issues with HMS Prince of Wales since leaving her home port of Portsmouth on Saturday.
"We are in the process of moving her to a different anchorage which is better suited to allow for further inspection of the ship.
"Right now our focus is on the ship and our people; everyone is working hard to understand the problem and what can be done next."
A Royal Navy spokeswoman had earlier revealed investigations are underway into 'an emerging mechanical issue.'
The Nato flagship is due to undertake training exercises with the US Navy , the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps, with stops in New York, Halifax in Canada, and the Caribbean.
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