RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
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ivorthediver
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Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
Thank you Jim , for the update and clarification .
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
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Pelican
- Posts: 10058
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Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
Up close with the Royal Navy’s newest ship – HMS Medway
An 'in depth' article.
HMS Medway arrived in her base port of Portsmouth for the first time on 17 June. She is in the process of working up before commissioning into the RN in September. We went on board to speak to her officers and look around the newest ship in the fleet.
Growing the fleet
Medway is the second of the five Batch II river class OPVs. What makes her somewhat unique is that she is the first new ship to join the RN for many years that is actually an addition to the strength of the fleet, rather than just a replacement for a decommissioned vessel. (Thanks to the sensible decision to retain the Batch I vessels). The first BII OPV, HMS Forth, is a direct replacement for HMS Clyde and will take over her role as permanent Falklands guard ship in the latter part of this year.
From one perspective, the Batch II OPVs may be seen as symptomatic of UK defence procurement failures, hideously expensive and comparing badly with more capable foreign equivalents. Their hefty price tag was paid to keep the shipbuilding skills base alive during delays to the start of the Type 26 frigate programme. Broadly speaking, this was the least-worst choice in the situation created by successive governments’ unwillingness to place regular shipbuilding orders. The more positive side of the story is the Type 26 design already proving to be a global success while the RN is getting five modern vessels which can make a contribution to reducing the workload on the rest of the fleet.
The birth of a ship
As reported previously, there were significant material defects discovered with HMS Forth soon after she was accepted by the RN. Her builders, BAE Systems’ reputation was not enhanced by this debacle and HMS Forth’s entry into service was delayed by more than a year while construction mistakes were rectified. Against this background, the smooth delivery and entry into service of HMS Medway assumed particular strategic importance for BAES. Their determination to get it right with Medway has been evident to her crew, with the workforce in Glasgow putting in long hours and much oversight by senior BAES engineers. Contractors sea trials were conducted in February and the ship was formally handed over to the RN on 5th March.
Manpower pressures in the RN have seen Medway’s ship’s company generated in a rather condensed period, building up from a handful of sailors to about 50 people right now. A new crew must first prove they are safe to live on the new ship and the Ship’s Staff Move On Board (SSMOB) date was in achieved on 1st May. An intense period of drills and exercises while the builders finish their work and hand over to sailors culminated in the ship passing the FOST Ready for sea inspection on 7th June. With sailors living on board a vessel that is still under construction and keen to get to sea, there are inevitable tensions between builders and crew but during the construction handover period an officer on Medway commented the BAES “did everything they could when asked… all things considered, the process worked very well”.
The flight deck is theoretically “Merlin-capable”, although a Wildcat would be more comfortably accommodated. The omission of a hangar means it is unlikely the OPVs would permanently embark their own aircraft, rather ‘lilypad’ and help extend the range of aircraft based on other vessels or ashore.
A new crew must establish routines and administration procedures while embarking a myriad of stores and adjusting to their new home. Most importantly, the first ships company have the privilege of setting the right tone and atmosphere, the intangibles that may define the ship’s personality and may last for the lifetime of a ship. The ship’s company is around 50 people with a relatively low proportion of them junior rates. There are 13 officers (3 of them officers under training) and almost a third of the crew are senior rates. Although the ship is highly automated about a third of the crew are marine or weapon engineers. The OPV crews rotate through a ‘three watch’ manning system, similar to that in use on the RN’s hydrographic vessels. Two watches are on board at any one time, while the third watch is on leave or ashore training. Typically each man serves for eight weeks on the ship before going ashore for four weeks. This predictable working pattern is popular with personnel who have families, allowing some certainty about when they will be home.
Medway has accommodation for an additional embarked military force (EMF) of up to 50 troops. This could be used by special forces or a small raiding force. Alternatively, extra personnel to assist in disaster relief might be carried or evacuated civilians could be accommodated. Access to the EMF accommodation (without going via the upper deck) is through the generator room, which is one of the less ideal features of the design, although they have their own bathrooms and food servery.
During her two weeks of builders sea trials and 10-day summer transit to Portsmouth, HMS Medway has not yet encountered any heavy weather. When tested at high speed and hard turning, the crew report her handling to be excellent, with good acceleration. The Batch II are based on the BAES-built Amazonas class corvettes serving with the Brazilian Navy since 2012 and the hull form is well proven and understood. The basic design has been changed little, although there were 29 separate small changes for RN requirements which mostly relate to the combat system, improved damage control measures and helicopter operations. A simple and reliable propulsion system consists of two 7,350kw high-speed MAN 16V 28/33D diesels driving the ship up to speeds of 24 knots, which is fast by typical OPV standards. Like the Batch I vessels, they are fitted with active stabilisers, bow thrusters and controllable pitch propellers.
The bridge is spacious and similar to the Batch I vessels. CO’s chair on the left. The bridge is typically manned by just 3 people, the Officer of the Watch (OOW), the helmsman (Quartermaster) and Tac Ops (communications specialist).
There is often some criticism that these OPVs are under-armed but the naval staff is clear that these ships are designed as patrol vessels intended primarily for constabulary and maritime security operations. The 30mm gun, modern but affordable radar and the Electro-optical cameras are more than adequate for operating where the biggest threats are pirates in boats armed with RPGs. The small operations room is fitted with a cut-down version of the BAES CMS-1 (Now re-branded as INTeACT) combat management system. Its main function is not control of weapons, but to present an integrated tactical picture to the command gathered from all the sensors on board.
Although there is some potential to ‘up-gun’ these vessels with heavier weapons and even guided missiles, one has to question why? Adding more weapons and sensors would just add to the manpower and maintenance costs while producing a mediocre combatant. There is evidence these ships have been designed with space and margins ready to accept the future addition of new equipment. The open architecture combat system and space for TEU containers offer options to host technology that may not yet even exist. Instead of an expensive manned helicopter, operating UAVs could be the best use of the flight deck, vastly extending the area that can be kept under surveillance.
The wardroom (Officer’s recreation and eating space) is a good size for a small ship. For now, it has basic fittings but will be further enhanced with better furniture and amenities.
Future programme
HMS Medway is alongside in her home port for a couple of weeks before sailing for further workup and trials. After the summer leave period, she will then undergo FOST (Flag Officer Sea Training) serials and inspections. FOST staff based in Faslane will focus on seamanship and safety before she goes to Devonport where the emphasis is more on operations, aviation and replenishment at sea. After commissioning into the fleet at a ceremony in Chatham in the Autumn, she is likely to spend some time in UK waters and may conduct fishery protection patrols before being forward-deployed overseas for an extended period.
You can follow her progress on the lively Twitter account @HMS_Medway
Full article with images at - https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/up-clo ... EjKWSNe7DY
An 'in depth' article.
HMS Medway arrived in her base port of Portsmouth for the first time on 17 June. She is in the process of working up before commissioning into the RN in September. We went on board to speak to her officers and look around the newest ship in the fleet.
Growing the fleet
Medway is the second of the five Batch II river class OPVs. What makes her somewhat unique is that she is the first new ship to join the RN for many years that is actually an addition to the strength of the fleet, rather than just a replacement for a decommissioned vessel. (Thanks to the sensible decision to retain the Batch I vessels). The first BII OPV, HMS Forth, is a direct replacement for HMS Clyde and will take over her role as permanent Falklands guard ship in the latter part of this year.
From one perspective, the Batch II OPVs may be seen as symptomatic of UK defence procurement failures, hideously expensive and comparing badly with more capable foreign equivalents. Their hefty price tag was paid to keep the shipbuilding skills base alive during delays to the start of the Type 26 frigate programme. Broadly speaking, this was the least-worst choice in the situation created by successive governments’ unwillingness to place regular shipbuilding orders. The more positive side of the story is the Type 26 design already proving to be a global success while the RN is getting five modern vessels which can make a contribution to reducing the workload on the rest of the fleet.
The birth of a ship
As reported previously, there were significant material defects discovered with HMS Forth soon after she was accepted by the RN. Her builders, BAE Systems’ reputation was not enhanced by this debacle and HMS Forth’s entry into service was delayed by more than a year while construction mistakes were rectified. Against this background, the smooth delivery and entry into service of HMS Medway assumed particular strategic importance for BAES. Their determination to get it right with Medway has been evident to her crew, with the workforce in Glasgow putting in long hours and much oversight by senior BAES engineers. Contractors sea trials were conducted in February and the ship was formally handed over to the RN on 5th March.
Manpower pressures in the RN have seen Medway’s ship’s company generated in a rather condensed period, building up from a handful of sailors to about 50 people right now. A new crew must first prove they are safe to live on the new ship and the Ship’s Staff Move On Board (SSMOB) date was in achieved on 1st May. An intense period of drills and exercises while the builders finish their work and hand over to sailors culminated in the ship passing the FOST Ready for sea inspection on 7th June. With sailors living on board a vessel that is still under construction and keen to get to sea, there are inevitable tensions between builders and crew but during the construction handover period an officer on Medway commented the BAES “did everything they could when asked… all things considered, the process worked very well”.
The flight deck is theoretically “Merlin-capable”, although a Wildcat would be more comfortably accommodated. The omission of a hangar means it is unlikely the OPVs would permanently embark their own aircraft, rather ‘lilypad’ and help extend the range of aircraft based on other vessels or ashore.
A new crew must establish routines and administration procedures while embarking a myriad of stores and adjusting to their new home. Most importantly, the first ships company have the privilege of setting the right tone and atmosphere, the intangibles that may define the ship’s personality and may last for the lifetime of a ship. The ship’s company is around 50 people with a relatively low proportion of them junior rates. There are 13 officers (3 of them officers under training) and almost a third of the crew are senior rates. Although the ship is highly automated about a third of the crew are marine or weapon engineers. The OPV crews rotate through a ‘three watch’ manning system, similar to that in use on the RN’s hydrographic vessels. Two watches are on board at any one time, while the third watch is on leave or ashore training. Typically each man serves for eight weeks on the ship before going ashore for four weeks. This predictable working pattern is popular with personnel who have families, allowing some certainty about when they will be home.
Medway has accommodation for an additional embarked military force (EMF) of up to 50 troops. This could be used by special forces or a small raiding force. Alternatively, extra personnel to assist in disaster relief might be carried or evacuated civilians could be accommodated. Access to the EMF accommodation (without going via the upper deck) is through the generator room, which is one of the less ideal features of the design, although they have their own bathrooms and food servery.
During her two weeks of builders sea trials and 10-day summer transit to Portsmouth, HMS Medway has not yet encountered any heavy weather. When tested at high speed and hard turning, the crew report her handling to be excellent, with good acceleration. The Batch II are based on the BAES-built Amazonas class corvettes serving with the Brazilian Navy since 2012 and the hull form is well proven and understood. The basic design has been changed little, although there were 29 separate small changes for RN requirements which mostly relate to the combat system, improved damage control measures and helicopter operations. A simple and reliable propulsion system consists of two 7,350kw high-speed MAN 16V 28/33D diesels driving the ship up to speeds of 24 knots, which is fast by typical OPV standards. Like the Batch I vessels, they are fitted with active stabilisers, bow thrusters and controllable pitch propellers.
The bridge is spacious and similar to the Batch I vessels. CO’s chair on the left. The bridge is typically manned by just 3 people, the Officer of the Watch (OOW), the helmsman (Quartermaster) and Tac Ops (communications specialist).
There is often some criticism that these OPVs are under-armed but the naval staff is clear that these ships are designed as patrol vessels intended primarily for constabulary and maritime security operations. The 30mm gun, modern but affordable radar and the Electro-optical cameras are more than adequate for operating where the biggest threats are pirates in boats armed with RPGs. The small operations room is fitted with a cut-down version of the BAES CMS-1 (Now re-branded as INTeACT) combat management system. Its main function is not control of weapons, but to present an integrated tactical picture to the command gathered from all the sensors on board.
Although there is some potential to ‘up-gun’ these vessels with heavier weapons and even guided missiles, one has to question why? Adding more weapons and sensors would just add to the manpower and maintenance costs while producing a mediocre combatant. There is evidence these ships have been designed with space and margins ready to accept the future addition of new equipment. The open architecture combat system and space for TEU containers offer options to host technology that may not yet even exist. Instead of an expensive manned helicopter, operating UAVs could be the best use of the flight deck, vastly extending the area that can be kept under surveillance.
The wardroom (Officer’s recreation and eating space) is a good size for a small ship. For now, it has basic fittings but will be further enhanced with better furniture and amenities.
Future programme
HMS Medway is alongside in her home port for a couple of weeks before sailing for further workup and trials. After the summer leave period, she will then undergo FOST (Flag Officer Sea Training) serials and inspections. FOST staff based in Faslane will focus on seamanship and safety before she goes to Devonport where the emphasis is more on operations, aviation and replenishment at sea. After commissioning into the fleet at a ceremony in Chatham in the Autumn, she is likely to spend some time in UK waters and may conduct fishery protection patrols before being forward-deployed overseas for an extended period.
You can follow her progress on the lively Twitter account @HMS_Medway
Full article with images at - https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/up-clo ... EjKWSNe7DY
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HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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ivorthediver
- Posts: 3662
- Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
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Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
Well done David , good post and very informative to boot .
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
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Pelican
- Posts: 10058
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
HMS MEDWAY WATCHES RUSSIAN CRUISER THROUGH CHANNEL
The Royal Navy has kept a permanent eye on the second Russian warship to sail through the Channel in a week.
HMS Medway followed the progress of veteran cruiser Marshal Ustinov as she sailed from the North Sea, past Dover and into the Channel.
The brand-new patrol ship – on her first mission – was dispatched from Portsmouth to spend 36-hours monitoring the Ustinov before handing over to the Marine Nationale as the Russian warship continued south past France.
The Ustinov’s journey is the latest activity in home waters prompted by Russia’s annual navy day event in St Petersburg, after which participating warships have spread out across Europe.
Continues with photos at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... gh-channel
The Royal Navy has kept a permanent eye on the second Russian warship to sail through the Channel in a week.
HMS Medway followed the progress of veteran cruiser Marshal Ustinov as she sailed from the North Sea, past Dover and into the Channel.
The brand-new patrol ship – on her first mission – was dispatched from Portsmouth to spend 36-hours monitoring the Ustinov before handing over to the Marine Nationale as the Russian warship continued south past France.
The Ustinov’s journey is the latest activity in home waters prompted by Russia’s annual navy day event in St Petersburg, after which participating warships have spread out across Europe.
Continues with photos at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... gh-channel
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Pelican
- Posts: 10058
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:10 pm
Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
HMS MEDWAY READY FOR DUTY AFTER COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
19 September 2019
HMS Medway has been officially welcomed into the Royal Navy with her Commissioning Ceremony at Chatham Dockyard today.
The Portsmouth-based Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) sailed to the docks in Kent on the River Medway – the waterway she’s named after – for the ceremony and is now ready to deploy where the navy needs her most.
The new warship – the second of the five Batch 2 River class OPVs – welcomed guests and the families of the ship’s company for the service and for tours of the ship, while locals lined the banks to watch the ceremony in the sunshine.
Commander Ben Power, the ship’s commanding officer, said: “It is special to be commissioning this ship here on the River Medway, an area that has an incredibly strong connection with the Royal Navy going back to the 16th Century.MS MEDWAY READY FOR DUTY AFTER COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
19 September 2019
HMS Medway has been officially welcomed into the Royal Navy with her Commissioning Ceremony at Chatham Dockyard today.
The Portsmouth-based Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) sailed to the docks in Kent on the River Medway – the waterway she’s named after – for the ceremony and is now ready to deploy where the navy needs her most.
The new warship – the second of the five Batch 2 River class OPVs – welcomed guests and the families of the ship’s company for the service and for tours of the ship, while locals lined the banks to watch the ceremony in the sunshine.
Commander Ben Power, the ship’s commanding officer, said: “It is special to be commissioning this ship here on the River Medway, an area that has an incredibly strong connection with the Royal Navy going back to the 16th Century.
Continues at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... npV2iyDkpA
19 September 2019
HMS Medway has been officially welcomed into the Royal Navy with her Commissioning Ceremony at Chatham Dockyard today.
The Portsmouth-based Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) sailed to the docks in Kent on the River Medway – the waterway she’s named after – for the ceremony and is now ready to deploy where the navy needs her most.
The new warship – the second of the five Batch 2 River class OPVs – welcomed guests and the families of the ship’s company for the service and for tours of the ship, while locals lined the banks to watch the ceremony in the sunshine.
Commander Ben Power, the ship’s commanding officer, said: “It is special to be commissioning this ship here on the River Medway, an area that has an incredibly strong connection with the Royal Navy going back to the 16th Century.MS MEDWAY READY FOR DUTY AFTER COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
19 September 2019
HMS Medway has been officially welcomed into the Royal Navy with her Commissioning Ceremony at Chatham Dockyard today.
The Portsmouth-based Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) sailed to the docks in Kent on the River Medway – the waterway she’s named after – for the ceremony and is now ready to deploy where the navy needs her most.
The new warship – the second of the five Batch 2 River class OPVs – welcomed guests and the families of the ship’s company for the service and for tours of the ship, while locals lined the banks to watch the ceremony in the sunshine.
Commander Ben Power, the ship’s commanding officer, said: “It is special to be commissioning this ship here on the River Medway, an area that has an incredibly strong connection with the Royal Navy going back to the 16th Century.
Continues at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... npV2iyDkpA
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
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Little h
- Posts: 1727
- Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:53 pm
Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
__________________________________________________________Pelican wrote: ↑Fri Jun 28, 2019 6:14 pm Up close with the Royal Navy’s newest ship – HMS Medway
An 'in depth' article.
HMS Medway arrived in her base port of Portsmouth for the first time on 17 June. She is in the process of working up before commissioning into the RN in September. We went on board to speak to her officers and look around the newest ship in the fleet.
Growing the fleet
Medway is the second of the five Batch II river class OPVs. What makes her somewhat unique is that she is the first new ship to join the RN for many years that is actually an addition to the strength of the fleet, rather than just a replacement for a decommissioned vessel. (Thanks to the sensible decision to retain the Batch I vessels). The first BII OPV, HMS Forth, is a direct replacement for HMS Clyde and will take over her role as permanent Falklands guard ship in the latter part of this year.
----------------------------------------
Full article with images at - https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/up-clo ... EjKWSNe7DY
NavyLookout
@NavyLookout
5h5 hours ago
Falkland Islanders to hold farewell service for HMS Clyde.
Clyde sailed from Portsmouth 20th Aug 2007 and has been in the S. Atlantic since. Still owned by @BAES_Maritime and leased to RN but will be transferred to Brazil.
@HMS_Forth will soon sail south as her replacement
What is the sailor (circled) doing?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Little h
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Little h
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Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
HMS Medway
@HMS_Medway
First ever landing of a helo
on a Batch 2 OPV complete! 
#ForwardTogether @RoyalNavy @HMNBPortsmouth
@HMS_Medway
First ever landing of a helo
on a Batch 2 OPV complete! 
#ForwardTogether @RoyalNavy @HMNBPortsmouthLittle h
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ivorthediver
- Posts: 3662
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Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
Excellent news Harry , looked as though he had been doing for ever .......
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
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Pelican
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Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
UPDATE ON SPEY:
ROYAL NAVY'S FINAL PATROL SHIP NAMED
03 October 2019
The fifth and final new patrol ship for the Royal Navy was today formally named as work on HMS Spey nears completion.
The shattering of a bottle of whisky from the affiliated Speyside Distillery as it struck the hull of the £127m Offshore Patrol Vessel marked the formal ‘baptism’ after Spey’s sponsor Lady Alison Johnstone had uttered the historic words “I name this ship…”.
The ceremony almost closes the chapter on a seven-year programme which will give the Royal Navy a flotilla of brand-new patrol ships ready for deployment around the globe – the intention is to station the quintet in key strategic areas such as the Falklands, Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Constructing the vessels has directly supported 1,700 jobs north of the border and a further 2,300 jobs around the UK in the supply chain.
And they have helped maintain key shipbuilding skills – vital now work has started on the first Type 26 frigates, also on the Clyde.
As with her sisters, HMS Spey was built at BAE’s facility at Govan, then moved down the Clyde to their Scotstoun yard for fitting out.
She takes her name from Scotland’s third longest river, famed for its salmon and natural pearls – both reflected in the ship’s badge – while her motto of ‘Mack sicker’ (‘make sure’) can be traced all the way back to Robert the Bruce and comrades more than 700 years ago.
The Royal Navy has been using the name since 1814, with the most recent HMS Spey, a minesweeper, sold to Brazil in 1998.
The latest incarnation is 90 metres long, equipped with a 30mm main gun, a flight deck which can host Merlin and Wildcat helicopters and space for 50 Royal Marines/soldiers for specific missions.
Spey will be used for general patrol duties, counter-terrorism/anti-smuggling missions, provide disaster relief where needed, act as the UK’s eyes and ears on the high seas and fly the flag for Britain’s global ambitions.
At present, the 2,000-tonne warship has a handful of sailors assigned to her, with more joining over the winter and first Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Ben Evans due to arrive in late April, just as his men and women move on board to breathe life into Spey and prepare to take her to sea for the first time.
He joined VIPs at BAE’s yard on the Clyde for today’s ceremony.
As she’s the final ship in the class, Spey has benefited from many of the lessons learned building and testing Forth, Medway, Trent and Tamar. They have blazed a trail for us, so I’d like to think of HMS Spey as last – but best.
Lieutenant Commander Ben Evans
“The official naming is an important milestone – it marks the true beginning of the life of HMS Spey,” said Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Ben Evans.
“There is still a long road ahead of us – it will be at least 12 months before Spey makes her debut in Portsmouth. It will demand a lot of hard work from both the hundreds of shipwrights, engineers and technicians completing Spey and her ship’s company when they join. We are all determined to make her a success, proudly carrying the name of a great river around the world for many years to come.”
Of the four ships ahead of Spey, HMS Forth is preparing to sail for the Falklands, after maiden helicopter trials HMS Medway is conducting fishery and security patrols, HMS Trent has completed sea trials and is in the final stages of fitting out, and HMS Tamar is gearing up for her first spell at sea.
From - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... BgPpRdo12o
Which includes images.
ROYAL NAVY'S FINAL PATROL SHIP NAMED
03 October 2019
The fifth and final new patrol ship for the Royal Navy was today formally named as work on HMS Spey nears completion.
The shattering of a bottle of whisky from the affiliated Speyside Distillery as it struck the hull of the £127m Offshore Patrol Vessel marked the formal ‘baptism’ after Spey’s sponsor Lady Alison Johnstone had uttered the historic words “I name this ship…”.
The ceremony almost closes the chapter on a seven-year programme which will give the Royal Navy a flotilla of brand-new patrol ships ready for deployment around the globe – the intention is to station the quintet in key strategic areas such as the Falklands, Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Constructing the vessels has directly supported 1,700 jobs north of the border and a further 2,300 jobs around the UK in the supply chain.
And they have helped maintain key shipbuilding skills – vital now work has started on the first Type 26 frigates, also on the Clyde.
As with her sisters, HMS Spey was built at BAE’s facility at Govan, then moved down the Clyde to their Scotstoun yard for fitting out.
She takes her name from Scotland’s third longest river, famed for its salmon and natural pearls – both reflected in the ship’s badge – while her motto of ‘Mack sicker’ (‘make sure’) can be traced all the way back to Robert the Bruce and comrades more than 700 years ago.
The Royal Navy has been using the name since 1814, with the most recent HMS Spey, a minesweeper, sold to Brazil in 1998.
The latest incarnation is 90 metres long, equipped with a 30mm main gun, a flight deck which can host Merlin and Wildcat helicopters and space for 50 Royal Marines/soldiers for specific missions.
Spey will be used for general patrol duties, counter-terrorism/anti-smuggling missions, provide disaster relief where needed, act as the UK’s eyes and ears on the high seas and fly the flag for Britain’s global ambitions.
At present, the 2,000-tonne warship has a handful of sailors assigned to her, with more joining over the winter and first Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Ben Evans due to arrive in late April, just as his men and women move on board to breathe life into Spey and prepare to take her to sea for the first time.
He joined VIPs at BAE’s yard on the Clyde for today’s ceremony.
As she’s the final ship in the class, Spey has benefited from many of the lessons learned building and testing Forth, Medway, Trent and Tamar. They have blazed a trail for us, so I’d like to think of HMS Spey as last – but best.
Lieutenant Commander Ben Evans
“The official naming is an important milestone – it marks the true beginning of the life of HMS Spey,” said Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Ben Evans.
“There is still a long road ahead of us – it will be at least 12 months before Spey makes her debut in Portsmouth. It will demand a lot of hard work from both the hundreds of shipwrights, engineers and technicians completing Spey and her ship’s company when they join. We are all determined to make her a success, proudly carrying the name of a great river around the world for many years to come.”
Of the four ships ahead of Spey, HMS Forth is preparing to sail for the Falklands, after maiden helicopter trials HMS Medway is conducting fishery and security patrols, HMS Trent has completed sea trials and is in the final stages of fitting out, and HMS Tamar is gearing up for her first spell at sea.
From - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... BgPpRdo12o
Which includes images.
HMS Pelican 1938 - 1958 GGCV L86 U86 F86 What I Have I Hold ~ A wonderful bird is the Pelican its beak can hold more than its belly can.
-
Little h
- Posts: 1727
- Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:53 pm
Re: RN Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) - River Class
Little h wrote: ↑Sat Sep 21, 2019 3:02 pm
NavyLookout
@NavyLookout
5h5 hours ago
Falkland Islanders to hold farewell service for HMS Clyde.
Clyde sailed from Portsmouth 20th Aug 2007 and has been in the S. Atlantic since. Still owned by @BAES_Maritime and leased to RN but will be transferred to Brazil.
@HMS_Forth will soon sail south as her replacement
EE-ZhtqWsAAVavp HMS Clyde Falklands guard ship.jpgWhat is the sailor (circled) doing?
NavyLookout
@NavyLookout
.@HMS_Forth leaves Falmouth today on completion of maintenance period.
Will sail for the Falklands later this month.
Not sure if the Cobham 'SAILOR' dome is covering a SAILOR 900 VSAT advanced maritime stabilised Ku-band antenna system.
SAILOR 900 VSAT is built with the same high quality and high performance that has made SAILOR the leading name in professional maritime communication equipment over decades.
With hundreds of units shipped worldwide in a very short time it truly sets a new standard.
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Domed SatCom antenna system is conspicuously without any caption or description in the schematic/diagram copied below
Source; Save The Royal Navy June 28, 2019 (linked in an earlier post)
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