Survey ships docking maintenance included improvements to the hull, engines, living conditions
HMS Enterprise has emerged from dry dock sporting a new paint job after a major five-yearly upgrade. The Plymouth-based survey ship’s docking maintenance period in Falmouth included improvements to the hull, engines, living conditions and the multi-beam hydrographic sonar.
Image credit: Royal Navy
The new ‘Sealion’ hull coating reduces marine growth and the risk of mechanical damage, both of which ensures a smooth hull surface that reduces drag and hence lower carbon emissions as fuel savings are made.
At the same time a 30,000 hour overhaul of main generators ensured they are in prime condition to carry out operations anywhere in the world including the coldest seas.
Another engineering feat was the 10-yearly overhaul, the first since the ship was built,, of the Azipods.
Azipod is an electric propulsion unit with the electric motor driving the fixed pitch propeller in a submerged pod outside the ship hull. This saves space inside the ship and gives high manoeuvrability and saves fuel and CO2 emissions.
Satellite communications capability has also been refreshed with voice and data given an increased sea-going bandwidth.
The upgraded multi-beam echo sounder now provides up to 4,000 soundings per second, giving minute level of detail when updating charting and improving navigational safety for the Royal Naval and merchant marine fleets alike.
The improved sonar places HMS Enterprise at the forefront of global hydrographic capability.
Source: Royal Navy
