Navantia hires JFD to support Spanish Navy’s new submarine rescue mothership 

UK-based engineering company JFD, a part of James Fisher and Sons, has been awarded a contract by Spansh shipbuilder Navantia to conduct a ship survey and suitability assessment of the Spanish Navy’s new submarine rescue mothership (BAM-IS). 

The contract gave JFD responsibility for completing an initial assessment of the design, to ensure the new vessel will be capable of embarking on such systems.   

It is a critical requirement that in the event of a distressed submarine (DISSUB), there is an available vessel that can host submarine rescue system equipment, as well as support the other necessary aspects of a rescue. Not having a suitable vessel available will likely result in delays, which can have catastrophic consequences, according to the company.

The current intention is that the BAM-IS will be able to host critical international submarine rescue systems. As well as initial ship survey and suitability assessments, JFD can provide a range of services in support of MOSHIPs and VOOs, including on-site ship surveys and airport and port assurance surveys.

Alongside these capabilities, JFD also operates a VOO Database Service to track and monitor suitable VOOs that could be called upon during the time of need.

“JFD is proud to work alongside Navantia and assist the Spanish Navy in taking proactive action to ensure that they can support international submarine rescue systems by assessing and surveying their Rescue Motherships or Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) which operate in the waters,” Greg Cotten, Head of Operational Capability and Technical Authority, JFD said.

Navantia is in the process of completing the preliminary design for the BAM-IS. The new mothership (MOSHIP) will replace the Spanish Navy’s existing vessel which is not adapted to host submarine rescue systems. 

To remind, a few days ago, the firm held a steel-cutting ceremony for the Spanish Navy’s first F-110 frigate.