Drinking water on Royal Navy ship 'contaminated' - with sailors hospitalised
The drinking water on board a Royal Navy ship has become contaminated, with at least one sailor hospitalised.
HMS Portland, a Type 23 frigate, was diverted to Portsmouth on Friday after "an issue with one of the ship's fresh water systems", the Royal Navy said.
At least one sailor has been taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth presenting symptoms, The Telegraph understands.
A Navy source confirmed that the "poisoning" of the water happened after the wrong chemicals were put into it.
The mistake was quickly flagged by the individual involved and sources last night praised them for their "integrity" in coming forwards which "undoubtedly reduced the consequences".
A source told The Telegraph: "The individual made a mistake and informed their chain of command. It's really unfortunate, and their integrity should be acknowledged."
A Royal Navy spokesman said: "We can confirm that HMS Portland has returned to HMNB Portsmouth as a precautionary measure, following an issue with one of the ship’s fresh water systems.
"The health and safety of our personnel is of the utmost importance and we are taking a number of measures to safeguard the ship’s company whilst the issue is investigated."
Scientists investigating
It is unclear what substance the water was contaminated with.
A source told Mailonline: "The situation is quite serious. The ship has done everything they should do. They found out about it this morning and came alongside in Portsmouth.
"They have got scientists on board investigating. The water has been contaminated by something. A number of personnel have been taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital for treatment."
HMS Portland departed from its home port at Plymouth on Saturday, January 7.
It comes weeks after the Royal Navy announced that a Russian warship armed with hypersonic missiles is being tracked by HMS Portland.
The Admiral Gorshkov is the first Russian vessel armed with hypersonic weapons and was sailing “close to the UK” through the North Sea.
