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UK: Minehunter Pembroke returns after a major overhaul.
For the first time in over a year minehunter HMS Pembroke has hit the water after a major overhaul. Renewed and refreshed, the hi-tech 600-tonne warship struck out across the North Sea for the 400-mile crossing to Stavanger.
HMS Pembroke (Picture source: Royal Navy)
As well as being the Norwegian counterpart to Aberdeen supporting the North Sea oil and gas industries, the city is also home to state-of-the-art NATO ranges.
On them, the ship was able to calibrate her upgraded sonar and mine-hunting equipment, including the SeaFox remote-controlled mine disposal system.
Supported by a team from the Royal Navy’s Maritime Capability Trials and Assessment organisation, the new-look Pembroke demonstrated her ability to hunt, classify and if required dispose of mines and other underwater ordnance, and rejoined the Fleet a day ahead of schedule.
Stavanger was the first run out since the ship entered a 42-week £8m overhaul in the specialist minehunter facility at Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard on the Forth.
A small team of 50 employees, plus expert contractors, spent the bulk of 2019 toiling on the Sandown-class ship from bow to stern and keel to masthead.
They improved Pembroke’s sonar and communications systems, overhauled her engines and generators, and improved her fresh water tanks.
They left the 22-year-old warship in “great shape”, said her Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Richard Kemp – an observation confirmed by his ship’s first spell at sea. “We’re now ready to start delivering on operations wherever we are needed.”
Pembroke is now on her way back to Faslane to conduct a short period of training before resuming operations later this year.