Royal Navy warship completes major revamp in Devon

HMS St Albans needed 1.2 million working hours by sailors, engineers, and software specialists

Crew have moved back onboard a Royal Navy frigate after its four-year refurbishment in Devon.

Following 20 years of constant service, 1.2 million working hours by sailors, engineers, and software specialists were spent refitting HMS St Albans.

Led by the defence firm Babcock, 350 structural enhancements have been made so the ship can carry new equipment.

All four diesel generators have been replaced, with weapons and sensors also given an upgrade.

Lt Cdr Byron Linn said there was still "a long journey ahead".

"This marks the start of a journey that will bring St Albans back to front-line operations.

All four diesel generators have been replaced, with weapons and sensors also being upgraded

"A huge amount of work has been completed by my ship's company, Babcock and other supporting contractors to get to this point, and it was important to mark the occasion properly.

"Our focus now is to prepare St Albans for her return to sea."

• LISTEN: Caroline Densley meets HMS St Alban's deputy weapons engineer

The living space, which accommodates 185 people, has seen messes, bunk spaces, toilets, showers, and the galley all replaced.

Chef Morgan FitzGerald, 18, is part of the Royal Navy's catering service, and he has been working on HMS Albans for two months.

He told BBC Radio Devon: "Ever since turned 15 I wanted to be in the kitchen. I joined the Navy at 16, and have enjoyed it since.

Morgan FitzGerald and his colleagues are tasked with feeding between 200 and 220 people every day

He added: "Just now we're feeding 160 people, and when we go to sea we're feeding about 200 to 220 people everyday, two to three times a day.

Our fresh food only lasts two to three weeks so we then have to use tinned food until we get to our next stop.

Speaking about the refurbishments, he added: "In the galley everything is brand new. Brand new floor, ovens, bratt pans and coppers, I really love it."

Callum Irwin, deputy weapons engineer, said he has been his role for nine months and said he "is excited to see how it all comes together".

He said: "This is one of the longest refits the Navy has done with any ship.

"When I joined it was just a float in the water, and there was nothing onboard. To have all this work done in the past six months is very impressive. It's been busy and very rewarding."