HMS Clyde Ship Launch
When VT Group wanted to create a unveil HMS Clyde, the first ship to be completely constructed in Portsmouth for 40 years, we worked alongside them to re-invent the concept of a naming ceremony.
We created the concept and delivered the event to launch the Royal Navy’s new 80m Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPVH), at HM Naval base Portsmouth.
The idea was to incorporate the history of previous HMS Clyde vessels and reflect the huge advances in technology incorporated in the new ship.
Following a VIP dinner, guests made their way to grandstand seating flanking the dock and a further 330 VVIPs were housed in a Serious Structures building constructed at VT main reception offices looking over the hull and superstructure of the ship.
Initially the ship was shrouded in ‘cloud’ and blinders hiding the vessel, and we introduced a traditional naming ceremony with a blessing by the Royal Navy Chaplain and the breaking of the champagne bottle by sponsor Mrs Lesley Dunt.
HMS Clyde then burst into life, its grey hulk becoming the screen for an impressive projection with accompanying audio, effects lighting, pyrotechnics, lasers and the band of the Royal Marines performing on the helicopter deck.
The story depicted the character of the ship and the characters that had an association with the history of the name HMS Clyde, animating the high tech nature of the new vessel.
We brought together a true Rock and Roll line up of production experts. Sean Canning was appointed as creative director, Dick Tee came in as head of production and a host of suppliers, most usually seen at a stadium show, were all appointed to create a launch befitting the scale of the ship.
