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PORTSMOUTH, UK (BNS): World's oldest commissioned warship, HMS Victory, will undergo an extensive restoration as part of a £16 million contract with BAE Systems.

The company's engineers have been undertaking vital maintenance work to prepare the ship for the next phase of the ambitious renovation project and have removed the upper sections of the vessel's three masts, as well as the booms, yards, spars and associated rigging.

"During the recent removal of the top sections of the masts we have kept HMS Victory open to the public and it's our intention to keep the ship open as we carry out the rest of the work.

The restoration will give the visiting public the opportunity to gain an even greater insight into the build of this iconic vessel," said John O Sullivan, BAE Systems Project Manager for HMS Victory.

A project team will undertake a full survey of the vessel to identify priority areas, which is expected to include the replacement of shipside planking and repairs to the middle-gun deck, as well as planned maintenance.

The project is one of the most extensive restorations of the 246 year old warship since she was repaired after the damage sustained at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.