Description
The cover was Issued to celebrate the International Festival of the Sea 2005 that was held at H.M. Naval Base Portsmouth between the 30 June and 3 July 2005. It was the fifth in a series of International Festivals of the Sea held in the United Kingdom since 1996 .
A photo montage on the cover shows ships and small craft, past and present, of the Royal Navy.
A 1st class stamp “White Ensign – My engines are going astern” is cancelled by the BFPS 2864 Special Handstamp dated Portsmouth 3 July 05.