Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

RRS SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

Named today, see:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49829315

See also:-

General Naval Topics section; Communications Forum; RRS Sir David Attenborough thread; relating to V-Sat Antenna assembly

Very informative and extremely interesting Harry , and an area of activity that will have a considerable following I'm sure

RRS Sir David Attenborough on own power for first time
The RRS Sir David Attenborough achieved an important milestone at Cammell Laird’s shipyard this month with the commissioning and testing of its power systems.
The ship is in the final stages of construction.

One of the most advanced vessels of its type in the world, the new polar research ship for Britain will transform how ship-borne science is carried out in the Polar Regions. It is capable of breaking through ice one metre thick at a speed of 3 knots, and will allow up to 30 crew members, plus 60 scientists and support staff, to access some of the most remote locations on the planet.

According to a news release:

“Engineering teams at Cammell Laird report that the ship has begun fully operating on its own power for the first time. The shipyard has begun load testing the ship’s generators to 100 per cent, marking another important milestone.”

John Drummond, Project Director at Cammell Laird, said:

“Testing the ship’s power is a great moment in the final stages of the build, and a very visible sign of the huge amount of technical and engineering work that has been undertaken. This truly unique ship is state-of-the-art and highly complex – we are proud to be getting it ready for sea.”

The ship’s diesel-electric propulsion system is powered by two six-cylinder and two nine-cylinder Rolls-Royce Bergen engines. These provide electrical power generation for the electric propulsion motors, auxiliary systems and hotel services. The configuration of different engine sizes allows for efficient operation across the wide range of conditions that the vessel is likely to encounter.

The generators are supported by battery banks that ensure that the generators run at as near to as constant loading as possible in order to smooth the variable loading normally seen in seagoing vessels. This more constant loading will result in an increase in efficiency and therefore lower diesel consumption, say the firm.

Source - https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/rrs-sir ... R8wzgS7Cjc

More details
https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/ ... enborough/

From: Savetheroyalnavy.org

Today the RRS Sir David Attenborough finally leaves Cammell Laird shipyard.
The ship will be alongside Liverpool Cruise Terminal for crew familiarisation before undergoing 2 weeks of sea trials off North Wales. 50 days intensive training at Holyhead Port will be followed by scientific equipment trials in the Irish Sea.
In early 2021 the ship will undertake ice trials in the Arctic and in November 2021 will make maiden voyage to Antarctica.
The ship is around a year behind schedule but the vessel is the most complex non-warship constructed in the UK for many years. COVID-19 and customer changes have contributed to delays. Cammell Laird should be congratulated on a major achievement. 1,300 employed, 70 apprentices and hundreds of subcontractors and suppliers involved.
Keel laid Oct 2016
Launched July 2018
Named Sept 2019
Operational Nov 2021
boatymcboatface
(Earlier undocking photo via Phil Owen)

Thats a fair chunk of steel afloat there David wish her well in the years to come .......

R.R.S. SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

RRS Sir David Attenborough will be berthed on the Thames for the Ice Worlds Expo at the
RM Greenwich 28-30 Oct (Ship not open to public)

See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 1527772165

And - https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/national ... -greenwich

RRS Sir David Attenborough

The UK's new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has completed basic sea trials and is ready to undertake her first expedition.
The vessel came up the Thames on Wednesday through the Woolwich Barrier and is now tied up in Greenwich.
She's spending a few days at the home of the Prime Meridian to enable the public to see her, but also to mark the start of the COP26 climate conference.

Continues, including video 'Tour of RRS Sir David Attenborough' at - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59022676

Also see - https://nerc.ukri.org/planetearth/stories/1934/

RRS Sir David Attenborough sails from Harwich today for maiden deployment to Antarctica.

Due to arrive in Portsmouth tomorrow for fuel and sail on Thursday.

RRS S.D.A. YESTERDAY & TODAY

Yesteray - taken from Shotley Pier.

Today - RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Portsmouth to load aviation fuel this morning at the start of her maiden voyage to Antarctica.
See - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 4295365639

[Both looking nice and shipshape]