DSEI 2021: Royal Navy displays survey ship HMS Magpie.

During DSEI, the Defence and Security Equipment International takes place 14-17 September in London, the Royal Navy showcases the survey ship HMS Magpie.

Survey ship HMS Magpie (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

HMS Magpie is a survey ship of the Royal Navy, intended for use on inshore and coastal survey work. Magpie replaced HMS Gleaner. She was accepted by the RN in May 2018 and commissioned on 28 June 2018.

The main structure of the vessel was constructed by Safehaven Marine, a boatbuilding company based in Cork. The type selected for the inshore survey vessel was based on Safehaven's Wildcat 60 catamaran design, the largest available at 18m in length, and with a displacement of 37 tonnes.

She can stay at sea much longer (she has two messes/accommodation compartments for up to 12 crew and a galley which can meet the sailors’ needs for up to seven days), and is much more resilient in rough seas.

Magpie will also be able to launch remote-controlled underwater devices to search wide areas of seabed for obstructions or mines.

Her built-in and towed sonar systems scan every inch of the working part of the harbour to provide 3D imagery and an understanding of the seabed.