BBC News: "George Osborne orders new icebreaker for UK polar science"

BBC News: "George Osborne orders new icebreaker for UK polar science"



UK science is to get one of the biggest, most capable polar research vessels in the world. The £200m investment in an icebreaker is to be announced by Chancellor George Osborne in a speech on Friday.

The ship is likely to be 130m long, and sport a helipad, cranes, on board labs, and have the ability to deploy subs and other ocean-survey and sampling gear. It should be ready to enter service in 2019, and will support scientists in both the Antarctic and the Arctic.

Source: BBC News - George Osborne orders new icebreaker for UK polar science

Replacement for HMS Protector, perhaps? No specific mention of RN involvement, but it looks awfully similar to previous Ice Patrol vessels...

 

Will it have a hangar, I wonder? I love the random 'SCIENCE' on the side and I think all RN warships should similarly carry the word 'WAR' instead of pennant numbers.

 

It's a great idea. S'why I drive one of these on particular operations...



As for helo capabilities, the news article includes the following information, so assume it will carry one on the upper scupper, below the observation desk perhaps:

What the new polar ship promises to be like:

Likely to have a length of 130m and a breadth of 25mIts gross tonnage would be about 13,000 tonnes
Its cargo volume would be around 4,200 cu metres
It must be self-sufficient to operate for up to 80 days
This means it could cover roughly 24,000 nautical miles
Helicopter facilities are today considered a must-have
It would launch aerial and ocean robotic systems
Up to 60 scientists and support staff could live aboard

 

The article says it's going to be a Royal Research Ship, like the James Cook and the Shackleton which have no RN involvement so probably not a replacement for Protector.


Posted from the Navy Net mobile app (Android / iOS)

 

I know; my suggestion was a little tongue-in-cheek...

 

As this vessel is not defence-related, presumably its build has to go out to tender internationally?

 

As I understand it, bids must be invited internationally but not necessarily accepted.

 

That is the case, but given the construction of these vessels is quite specialised and the UK hasn't much recent history of building this type, I think we'd see it go to a foreign yard, or at least be designed and its construction overseen by a foreign company.

Regarding the helo/hangar comments, I've not done a Southern trip but having been up North a few times, most of the military/scientific platforms there do have a hangar simply because the cab needs protection. It would be odd if this platform didn't.

Nice to see some investment.

 

In the 'photo' taken from the arse end, it looks as if there is a hanger behing the two 'blokes'. On the same deck as the big H with a circle around it.

 

On the other hand

Stena(s) Seaspread & Inspector (aka RFA Dilligence) ... both of which were class 1 icebreaking hulls ... cranes / moon pool / diving bell ... OK no labs nut shed loads of space so could have one installed. Both had big flat deck on the roof with a big H painted on it ...but no hanger!

 

I know, but if you operate for any extended period I suggest having a hangar to protect the cab would be essential?

 

...or stick the aircraft under the water like the Malaysians do.

Too soon..?

 

The Chancellor of the Exchequer doesn't "order" anything; he releases money for other people to "order" things with. If the PM's next door neighbour can be considered to "order" anything, it's financial interference with other people's programmes. They are quite good at it but it isn't their own life they usually endanger.

Anyway, what the hell does

"Finessed"? Is that new wanquespeak for "refined"?

 

South Korea will have it knocked out in a week, for £20 and a pickled egg.


Sent from my iPhone, cos the wife is using MY iPad

 

Endurance had an extended hangar to take the two lynx, side by side. Its good to see that the flyco has been built into this design, rather than having to launch looking aft from the bridge. The flight deck was also extended on A171 when the ship was bought from Reiber Shipping. Of course, once the aspirational twerps and happy clappers got their own way, all sorts of daft bolt-ons were instigated from the original design. If this new vessel stays in the hands of civvy organisations, if will very possibly be maintained properly and not stupidly overmanned like the Endurance was.

levers