UK: Babcock Starts Work on HMS Shoreham

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.
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Source: Babcock, May 3, 2011;