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New Royal Navy Survey Vessel Comissioned
01 Apr 2003
HMS Echo, the UK Royal Navy's new multi-role hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel, was formally commissioned at a ceremony in Devonport on 7 March. Built by Appledore Shipbuilders in Bideford under contract to Vosper Thornycroft, the 3,500dwt, 90.6m-long vessel will begin operational deployment later this year; it will also be available for frontline operational roles in support of minesweepers and amphibious forces.
According to the RN, the vessel will be available for operations for more than 334 days each year, a 50% improvement over earlier ships. Improved seakeeping will ensure that she will be able to carry out survey work in the UK Western Approaches for 90% of the year, representing a five-fold increase in efficiency.
For survey operations, HMS Echo will have a crew complement of 45, although a further 35 personnel can also be accommodated.
The vessel is equipped with Kongsberg-Simrad multibeam echosounders, sidescan sonars and associated processing equipment as well as advanced navigation and communication systems developed by QuinetiQ.
The facilities will enable all oceanographic and hydrographic data to be acquired and processed at sea before further processing at the UK Hydrographic Office's Taunton headquarters. A sister vessel, HMS Enterprise, is also nearing completion for delivery later this year. Both will be based at Devonport Dockyard, home of the RN's Hydrographic Surveying Squadron.
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