A battleship in the Royal Navy will host its first gay wedding later this week as a senior Navy officer is taking advantage of the United Kingdom's recent legalization of civil unions by tying the knot with his longtime boyfriend.

Lieutenant Commander Jim Phillips will form a civil partnership with Marcus Rutter on Saturday aboard HMS Warrior, according to Reuters.

Phillips told Portsmouth's The News newspaper that his sexuality had never interfered with his job as a weapons engineer officer.

"I think most people are mature and educated enough for it not to be an issue," he said. "I'd say a significant proportion of my colleagues know I'm gay but there have been no problems or prejudices at all. It's been work as usual."