Babcock has started work today (2 May 2011) on HMS Shoreham, the
Royal Navy's newest Sandown class single role minehunter, now in
dock at Rosyth for a five month Support Period (Docking)
(SP(D)).
As well as a substantial maintenance package, the programme
includes a number of upgrades which will significantly improve the
ship's operational capability. Building on Babcock's extensive
experience, considerable work was undertaken in advance of the
start date to identify the material state of the platform and
create a work package specification that both reflects the needs of
the vessel and will reduce the amount of emergent work and
associated cost. Further, Babcock has worked closely with the MoD
to identify areas of potential cost reduction, which have been
incorporated into the agreed contract price.
HMS Shoreham will be the second single role minehunter to
receive the Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) (DII(F)),
which provides a coherent infrastructure enabling information
sharing and collaborative working across the defence sector
network. Also among the upgrades is a high pressure air upgrade
(which increases the output pressure and extends the system life,
as well as offering cost and space benefits thanks to a reduced
number of low maintenance composite storage reservoirs) and a
remote isolation capability for the waste water system, with the
installation of remotely operated valves. Further upgrades include
the fitting of a chloropac dosing system, which will reduce fouling
by marine organisms, and a re-siting of five tonnes of ballast.
Some 23 alterations and additions are included in the package, a
number relating to operational conditions encountered in the
Gulf.
Additionally, considerable work will be undertaken on the air
conditioning plant, and sea water cooling systems, as well as full
renewal of the outer bottom paint coatings using the new
polymer-based foul-release paint system (which improves the
vessel's speed and fuel efficiency), and habitability improvements
to living quarters.
Babcock project manager Dave Gibb commented: "We have worked
closely with our MoD partners to develop the work package to ensure
that the right work is undertaken at the right price, and will
continue to do so to return HMS Shoreham to the fleet on-time,
in-budget, and at optimum value for money. The programme will now
involve robust project management to ensure that the targets set
are met. We look forward to working with the MoD and ship's staff
during this SP(D), developing new relationships and building on
existing ones, to make this project an enjoyable and ultimately
successful one."
MoD Programme Group Manager David Winstanley said: "We are
looking forward to welcoming HMS Shoreham to Rosyth for her short
but intense docking period. We are confident that, through our
partnering ethos, we can build on the earlier success of HMS Blyth
and deliver the project on time and budget."
HMS Shoreham will leave Rosyth for sea trials in September.