Divers light the way for HMS Queen Elizabeth's Christmas homecoming

HMS Queen Elizabeth is coming home for Christmas but will need a little guidance into Portsmouth Harbour before her crew disembark.

To this end, 15 navigational aids mark the deep-water channel created for the aircraft carrier to manoeuvre safely.

Regular maintenance keeps the lights on top of the navigational aids shining brightly whenever HMS Queen Elizabeth enters or leaves the harbour and divers from BAE Systems have been tasked with the job.

More used to working up to 50m below water, seven members of the 14-strong diving team have qualified as climbers so they can scale the towers that are up to 30m tall and can sway by up to a metre.

“The team check the condition of the solar panels and batteries, ensuring they’re clean, free from guano and salt build up, and that the battery terminals are operating effectively,” said diving and maritime co-ordinator Jim Lynch. “We carry out planned maintenance on a six-monthly basis as well as regular checks to ensure they’re fully operational.”