This new six-part observational documentary
series is filmed aboard HMS Illustrious during a rare
often dangerous and stressful professional lives of
the crew as well as the personal stories of the men
and women – some as young as 18 –who are
thousands of miles from home.
As HMS Illustrious is one of only two aircraft
carriers in the Naval fleet, large deployments only
happen every two to three years. With a rise in the
threat of maritime terrorism, the Navy is key to
protecting global trade routes and policing areas
of criminal activity – such as people trafficking,
piracy and the smuggling of drugs and weapons.
Another aspect of the Navy’s job is to ensure the
security of major oil pipelines. Over 90 per cent of
international trade occurs via global sea routes,
and Illustrious and her sister ship HMS Ark Royal
allow it to run smoothly.
At any time during the deployment, Illustrious
may be called to assist in search-and-rescue
operations, go to the aid of ships in distress or
carry out major evacuations. In the past, the ship
has helped rescue survivors of the Boxing Day
tsunami and refugees from the Lebanon in 2005.
