Royal Navy flagship welcomes new Captain

Britain’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth has welcomed a new captain.

Captain Ian Feasey has taken command of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier during the ship’s maiden operational deployment. 

He took charge of the ship from Captain Angus Essenhigh in a traditional handover ceremony while the carrier was berthed in Guam in the Western Pacific.   

A resident of the South Hams in Devon, Captain Feasey was born in Bath and joined the Royal Navy in 1997. He has previously commanded the offshore patrol vessel HMS Severn and the Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth. 

He said: “I am incredibly proud to be taking command of the Fleet Flagship during a key phase of her Carrier Strike deployment. I have inherited a first-class team which has already achieved so much.” 

Having relinquished command of the flagship, Captain Essenhigh will be promoted to Commodore and assume the role of Commander UK Carrier Strike Group in early 2022. This will see him embark on HMS Queen Elizabeth or her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales and lead the associated carrier task force.    

He said: “Being Captain of HMS Queen Elizabeth has been a unique privilege. I am sad to leave but do so safe in the knowledge the ship is in great hands. 

“These are fantastic ships, crewed by amazing people and I can’t wait to get back to sea in one in the very near future.”