The Royal Navy's troubled £3 billion aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is off the coast of Ryde this morning (Tuesday).

Investigations continue into why it broke down just moments after leaving Portsmouth, on Saturday, but a propeller shaft malfunction has been confirmed.

After a couple of days at anchor off Ventnor and Sandown, the 65,000-tonne warship was transferred to the The Solent, yesterday, to allow for further investigation into its mechanical problems.

Yesterday, from on board, Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse posted this video message.

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Isle of Wight County Press: HMS Prince of Wales off Ryde Pier on Tuesday morning, August 30.HMS Prince of Wales off Ryde Pier on Tuesday morning, August 30.

He said repairs look likely to impact the schedule of the HMS Prince of Wales - including flight trials with F-35B Lightning jets - and its crew.

Its departure had already been delayed from Friday, August 26, because of a technical issue, however it has not been confirmed if the two are connected.

The huge vessel was due to sail across the Atlantic, to north America, for exercises with the US Navy, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy and United States Marine Corps.

Stops in New York, Halifax in Canada, and the Caribbean were expected.

Instead, the calmer Solent waters will allow divers to inspect the faulty part.

Off Sandown, on Sunday.

Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse said: "The ship is now moving to a more sheltered anchorage for further inspection and then we’ll be able to provide further comment on the nature of the issue and the impact to her current schedule.

"We’ve reacted quickly to the emergent defect and are working closely with industry partners to resolve this as soon as we can.

"Rest assured, the Royal Navy continues to meet its commitments to deliver operations and to keep the UK, our partners and allies safe."

Some military experts have suggested the ship might need to be dry-docked in Scotland, if repairs cannot be completed.

Portsmouth-based sister-ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is due to deploy to the Mediterranean and Baltic in the coming months, meanwhile.