Monthly Archives: July 2022

Ships sail in formation during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 30 unmanned systems, approximately 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 28, 2022) The worldâs largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worldâs oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photoContinue reading “Ships sail in formation during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 30 unmanned systems, approximately 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.”

Tonga’s coastal landscape to be surveyed by NZ hydrographers Thursday, July 28, 2022 – 22:29. Updated on Thursday, July 28, 2022 – 22:30. Auckland, New Zealand

NZ Army Soldiers from 2ER and RNZN Hydrographers from HMNZS Matataua conduct Exercise Tropic Twilight in Niue, a HADR exercise to support the community of Niue. 14 July 2022. Photo: RNZN. Royal New Zealand Navy Hydrographers on the HMNZS Matataua will be in Tonga to survey its landscape in August. They are currently in Niue doing the same charter survey, which will be completed at the end ofContinue reading “Tonga’s coastal landscape to be surveyed by NZ hydrographers Thursday, July 28, 2022 – 22:29. Updated on Thursday, July 28, 2022 – 22:30. Auckland, New Zealand”

HMS Bronington can be saved 27 July 2022 Topic: Fighting armsSurface Fleet Storyline: Patrol and Mine Countermeasures Vessels

Fundraising begins to raise ‘Prince Charles’ warship’ as survey says  Raise the Bronington!That’s the rallying cry of the team connected with the veteran minesweeper – best known as ‘Prince Charles’ warship’ – after a survey says she can be saved. A dive survey was carried out by marine specialists earlier this summer and found despiteContinue reading “HMS Bronington can be saved 27 July 2022 Topic: Fighting armsSurface Fleet Storyline: Patrol and Mine Countermeasures Vessels”

The XV Patrick Blackett will be used as a trial ship, experimenting with new technologies including drones. Last month I reported that the new ‘Special Purpose Vessel’ would arrive in Portsmouth to be prepared for her role as a trials platform. That has now happened. Image credit to the excellent RNPics on Twitter. You can click here to follow them. As I reported previously, the vessel was procured through a £9m contract and will support trials for “autonomy development”. The contract specifications describe a steel vessel with a draught of 3.5m, top speed of 20 knots, a range of 2500 nautical miles, a crew of 6 and the ability to tow small boats such as RHIBs. In addition, the vessel is expected to accommodate 2×40 foot ISO containers or 2x 20-foot ISO containers. While the vessel will also be expected to be autonomous in future, the contract specification makes clear that it will not be for some time “the functional integration of technology provided to enable the autonomous behaviours of the platform are excluded from this current contract but that the contractor should support the physical integration of this equipment in future”. The statement of requirements is relatively vague but does state that NavyX (that’s the part of the Royal Navy that operates this vessel) require a small ‘Fast Crew Vessel’ style ship to serve as a testbed and trials ship for the Royal Navy. What’s the list of specs? The vessel should not have had any previous owners other than the vessel’s builder (or other owner while vessel is in build only). The vessel should already exist and be suitable for ownership to transfer in the timelines given below. Vessel length less than 48m LOA A speed of 20 knots be achievable in light displacement A fuel range of 2500 nautical miles at most efficient speed should be achievable Vessel to have a gross tonnage of less than 500 GT. The vessel should have a maximum draft of 3.5m. The vessel can berth and unberth unaided from its nominated berth. The vessel should be capable of towing small vessels (such as 12m RHIB). The vessel’s primary machinery (prime movers, gearboxes, rudders etc) will where possible be controlled using digital interfaces. The vessel will have a digital autopilot system. Primary hull structure should be steel. Other materials can be used elsewhere in the vessel (for example superstructure). The vessel be able to provide electrical power to the aft deck. The vessel be able to be modified to provide fresh water to the deck. The vessel be able to be fitted with a crane suitable of lifting 3.5 tonnes at 4.5m of distance. The working deck be at least 120m2. The working deck be able to accommodate 2×40 foot ISO containers or 2x 20-foot ISO containers. The vessel is to have an open stern of suitable strength for the deployment of vessel appropriate equipment over the stern. The working deck shall have a load carrying capacity of at least 2 tonne/m2. I’m waiting to here more about what the actuals pecs are and how closely they match the requirements above.

The XV Patrick Blackett will be used as a trial ship, experimenting with new technologies including drones. Last month I reported that the new ‘Special Purpose Vessel’ would arrive in Portsmouth to be prepared for her role as a trials platform. That has now happened. Image credit to the excellent RNPics on Twitter. You can click here toContinue reading “The XV Patrick Blackett will be used as a trial ship, experimenting with new technologies including drones. Last month I reported that the new ‘Special Purpose Vessel’ would arrive in Portsmouth to be prepared for her role as a trials platform. That has now happened. Image credit to the excellent RNPics on Twitter. You can click here to follow them. As I reported previously, the vessel was procured through a £9m contract and will support trials for “autonomy development”. The contract specifications describe a steel vessel with a draught of 3.5m, top speed of 20 knots, a range of 2500 nautical miles, a crew of 6 and the ability to tow small boats such as RHIBs. In addition, the vessel is expected to accommodate 2×40 foot ISO containers or 2x 20-foot ISO containers. While the vessel will also be expected to be autonomous in future, the contract specification makes clear that it will not be for some time “the functional integration of technology provided to enable the autonomous behaviours of the platform are excluded from this current contract but that the contractor should support the physical integration of this equipment in future”. The statement of requirements is relatively vague but does state that NavyX (that’s the part of the Royal Navy that operates this vessel) require a small ‘Fast Crew Vessel’ style ship to serve as a testbed and trials ship for the Royal Navy. What’s the list of specs? The vessel should not have had any previous owners other than the vessel’s builder (or other owner while vessel is in build only). The vessel should already exist and be suitable for ownership to transfer in the timelines given below. Vessel length less than 48m LOA A speed of 20 knots be achievable in light displacement A fuel range of 2500 nautical miles at most efficient speed should be achievable Vessel to have a gross tonnage of less than 500 GT. The vessel should have a maximum draft of 3.5m. The vessel can berth and unberth unaided from its nominated berth. The vessel should be capable of towing small vessels (such as 12m RHIB). The vessel’s primary machinery (prime movers, gearboxes, rudders etc) will where possible be controlled using digital interfaces. The vessel will have a digital autopilot system. Primary hull structure should be steel. Other materials can be used elsewhere in the vessel (for example superstructure). The vessel be able to provide electrical power to the aft deck. The vessel be able to be modified to provide fresh water to the deck. The vessel be able to be fitted with a crane suitable of lifting 3.5 tonnes at 4.5m of distance. The working deck be at least 120m2. The working deck be able to accommodate 2×40 foot ISO containers or 2x 20-foot ISO containers. The vessel is to have an open stern of suitable strength for the deployment of vessel appropriate equipment over the stern. The working deck shall have a load carrying capacity of at least 2 tonne/m2. I’m waiting to here more about what the actuals pecs are and how closely they match the requirements above.”

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) sails in formation in the Baltic Sea, June 6, 2022, during exercise BALTOPS22. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region.

BALTIC SEA (June 6, 2022) The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Navy photo) 220606-N-NO901-3008 from JC’s Naval, Maritime and Military NewsContinue reading “The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) sails in formation in the Baltic Sea, June 6, 2022, during exercise BALTOPS22. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region.”