Sandown class single role minehunter HMS Blyth left Rosyth today
(Friday 5 November) on-time and in-budget, following a number of
upgrades, a substantial maintenance package, and two first-of-class
equipment fits, during a successful six month Support Period
Docking undertaken by Babcock.
HMS Blyth is the first single role minehunter to receive the
Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) (DII(F)), enabling
information sharing and collaborative working across the defence
sector network. She is also the first of class to have remote
isolation capability fitted to the waste water system, while
capability upgrades have included a new high pressure air system
(with increased system pressure and longer life, plus important
cost and space savings), and a new ammunition storage system and
ammunition protection in the main magazine.
The vessel is also faster and more fuel-efficient, having
received the new polymer-based foul-release paint system to the
outer bottom, in addition to blasting and renewal of all
weather-deck paint coatings, preservation of all superstructure
areas, and renewal of internal deck coverings. The living quarters
have also been improved, and air conditioning plants serviced.
Additionally, all 41 ship side valves have been renewed or
repaired, the starboard Voith Schneider propeller unit exchanged,
five tonnes of ballast has been re-sited, as well as Sonar 2093
maintenance, shafting and propulsion system inspection and
maintenance, and servicing of deck machinery and auxiliary
systems.
In total 375 items of equipment have been removed and overhauled
or replaced, and 2.5 km of cable and 500 metres of new pipework
have been installed in the course of the 43,000 manhour
project.
Babcock project manager Russell Glancy commented: "This project
has involved extensive work and a number of challenges which have
been overcome successfully through the expertise, drive and
pro-active approach of the Babcock production/project team. This,
combined with the strong communication and working partnership with
ship staff, local MoD team and the Surface Combatant (Mine
countermeasure Patrol & Hydrographics) [SC (MPH)] Sandown Class
team, has helped to ensure successful completion of this contract
on-time and in-budget."
Local MoD Project Group Manager (PGM) David Winstanley remarked:
"HMS Blyth's support period has successfully built on the
experience gained on HMS Ramsey, albeit different challenges
emerged during this project (such as the first of class waste water
and DII upgrades). Undoubtedly a significant contributing factor to
this success was the strong partnering relationships already
established between Babcock and MoD coupled with the inherent
technical capability of the Babcock workforce."
HMS Blyth has now left Rosyth for three weeks of sea trials
before returning to the fleet.