HMS Shoreham, the Royal Navy's newest Sandown class single role
minehunter, has left Babcock's Rosyth dockyard on-time and
on-budget today with improved operational capability, following a
substantial upgrade and maintenance programme undertaken by
Babcock.
Among the various upgrades received, HMSShorehamis now the
second single role minehunter to have the Defence Information
Infrastructure (Future) (DII(F)) installed, enabling information
sharing and collaborative working across the defence sector
network.
Additionally, a high pressure air upgrade has increased output
pressure and brings space and cost benefits, while further upgrades
include a remote isolation capability for the waste water system,
fitting of a chloropac dosing system (to reduce fouling by marine
organisms), and re-siting of five tonnes of ballast. Full
renewal of the outer bottom paint coatings with the new
foul-release system will also improve the vessel's speed and fuel
efficiency. Further work has included habitability
improvements to living quarters, and considerable work on the air
conditioning plant, and sea water cooling systems. In
addition, a major overhaul was carried out on both main
engines.
Close working between Babcock and the MoD in advance of the
support period, building on Babcock's experience including
HMSBlyth's recent docking period, enabled a work package to be
developed that reflected the vessel's requirements while
identifying cost reductions where possible, ensuring optimum value
for money. It also enabled challenges, such as the reduced
timescale between the start date and ship's staff moving on board
to accommodate a longer setting to work period for DII, among
others, to be successfully addressed.
Babcock project manager Dave Gibb commented: "We are delighted
to have returned HMSShorehamon-time, in-budget, and with improved
operational capability at optimum value for money. The effect
of material shortages presented a significant challenge to all
stakeholders and the success of the project, but these were
overcome by the effective working relationship between Babcock,
Ship's Staff, CD(R) and the MoD Surface Combatants team, which has
been built up over previous projects and reinforced on
HMSShoreham."
MoD Programme Group Manager David Winstanley said: "This is an
excellent result for a project which has seen a significant number
of material supply difficulties. The success is a testament
to the strength and durability of the partnering arrangement and
the valuable contributions from the wider stakeholder
community."
HMSShorehamwill now undergo sea trials before returning to the
fleet in October.