U.K. Royal Navy's HMS Blyth to receive upgrades at Rosyth
UNITED KINGDOM - 3 JUNE 2010
Sandown class single role minehunter HMS Blyth has started a six month Support Period Docking (SP(D)) being undertaken by Babcock at Rosyth. The programme includes a number of upgrades, including two first of class fits, as well as a substantial maintenance package.
Awarded under the Surface Ship Support Alliance (the alliance between the MoD, Babcock and BAE Systems) the support period contract will benefit from the continuing supportive working relations and close partnering between Babcock and the MoD to return the vessel to the fleet on time and in-budget, and deliver optimum value for money.
Capability upgrades will include a new high pressure (HP) air system. The new configuration increases the system pressure and extends the life of the system, as well as offering important cost and space benefits due to the significantly reduced number of bottles, which can now be maintained on board (having previously had to be removed for servicing and revalidation). Other upgrades include a new ammunition storage system and ammunition protection (Response to Attack on Ammunition, or RATTAM) in the main magazine.
Additionally, HMS Blyth will be the first 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. A further first-of-class fit will provide remote isolation capability to the waste water system.
A full hull survey and repair package, exchange of the starboard Voith Schneider propeller unit and renewal and repair of all 41 ship side valves will also be undertaken, as well as re-siting of five tonnes of ballast. Further work will include Sonar 2093 maintenance, servicing of air conditioning plants, shafting and propulsion system inspection and maintenance, and servicing of deck machinery and auxiliary systems, along with modifications to improve living quarters.
The vessel will also receive the new polymer-based foul-release paint system to the outer bottom, which improves the ships speed and fuel efficiency, as well as blasting and renewal of all weather-deck paint coatings, preservation of all superstructure areas, and renewal of internal deck coverings.
As a result of the strong communication and proactive approach built up through the Sandown joint project team involving Babcock and the MoD, a number of measures have been implemented to maximise efficiency and minimise cost and time in dock, helping to keep the programme to time and budget. These include pre-refit surveys relating to areas such as ship painting and deck coverings, and air conditioning plants, to provide an improved knowledge of the current material state of the vessel and allow any work required to be scheduled in to the programme at an early stage. Early procurement of materials and manufacture of items required for the project in advance has also helped to de-risk the programme, and close working between Babcock and the MoD has facilitated an early start to the project.
Babcock project manager Russell Glancy commented: These contracts are extremely dynamic, and Blyth will be no exception. The programme is very taut with some extensive work presenting a number of challenges, and co-ordination of all our activities and communication between all parties involved will be paramount. Our experience on previous such contracts and excellent working relationship with Clyde Director (Rosyth) [CD(R)] and the project team will be invaluable in ensuring the smooth running and successful completion of this project, on-time and in-budget.
David Winstanley, Project Group Manager in CD(R), said: My dedicated team and I are looking forward to maintaining the excellent partnering arrangements already established for Sandown Class and delivering this challenging project to time, cost and quality.
HMS Blyth will leave Rosyth for sea trials in November.
UNITED KINGDOM - 3 JUNE 2010
Sandown class single role minehunter HMS Blyth has started a six month Support Period Docking (SP(D)) being undertaken by Babcock at Rosyth. The programme includes a number of upgrades, including two first of class fits, as well as a substantial maintenance package.
Awarded under the Surface Ship Support Alliance (the alliance between the MoD, Babcock and BAE Systems) the support period contract will benefit from the continuing supportive working relations and close partnering between Babcock and the MoD to return the vessel to the fleet on time and in-budget, and deliver optimum value for money.
Capability upgrades will include a new high pressure (HP) air system. The new configuration increases the system pressure and extends the life of the system, as well as offering important cost and space benefits due to the significantly reduced number of bottles, which can now be maintained on board (having previously had to be removed for servicing and revalidation). Other upgrades include a new ammunition storage system and ammunition protection (Response to Attack on Ammunition, or RATTAM) in the main magazine.
Additionally, HMS Blyth will be the first 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. A further first-of-class fit will provide remote isolation capability to the waste water system.
A full hull survey and repair package, exchange of the starboard Voith Schneider propeller unit and renewal and repair of all 41 ship side valves will also be undertaken, as well as re-siting of five tonnes of ballast. Further work will include Sonar 2093 maintenance, servicing of air conditioning plants, shafting and propulsion system inspection and maintenance, and servicing of deck machinery and auxiliary systems, along with modifications to improve living quarters.
The vessel will also receive the new polymer-based foul-release paint system to the outer bottom, which improves the ships speed and fuel efficiency, as well as blasting and renewal of all weather-deck paint coatings, preservation of all superstructure areas, and renewal of internal deck coverings.
As a result of the strong communication and proactive approach built up through the Sandown joint project team involving Babcock and the MoD, a number of measures have been implemented to maximise efficiency and minimise cost and time in dock, helping to keep the programme to time and budget. These include pre-refit surveys relating to areas such as ship painting and deck coverings, and air conditioning plants, to provide an improved knowledge of the current material state of the vessel and allow any work required to be scheduled in to the programme at an early stage. Early procurement of materials and manufacture of items required for the project in advance has also helped to de-risk the programme, and close working between Babcock and the MoD has facilitated an early start to the project.
Babcock project manager Russell Glancy commented: These contracts are extremely dynamic, and Blyth will be no exception. The programme is very taut with some extensive work presenting a number of challenges, and co-ordination of all our activities and communication between all parties involved will be paramount. Our experience on previous such contracts and excellent working relationship with Clyde Director (Rosyth) [CD(R)] and the project team will be invaluable in ensuring the smooth running and successful completion of this project, on-time and in-budget.
David Winstanley, Project Group Manager in CD(R), said: My dedicated team and I are looking forward to maintaining the excellent partnering arrangements already established for Sandown Class and delivering this challenging project to time, cost and quality.
HMS Blyth will leave Rosyth for sea trials in November.
