MoD and Navy News

HMS SOMERSET HOME TO JUBILANT WELCOME

Hundreds of happy friends and families welcomed their loved ones home as they sailed into HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth, on board HMS Somerset today after more than six months deployed abroad. About 500 thronged the jetty cheering and waving welcome banners, including one proposal, while a Royal Marine Band serenaded the Type 23 frigate and entertained the crowd in the sunshine.

The frigate sailed on 21 January to join the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) in the Mediterranean where she has been the UK 's representative on Operation Active Endeavour – the continuous NATO operation to prevent maritime crime. Her duties included deterring the smuggling of arms, drugs and people by criminal and terrorist groups.

Lieutenant Commander Steve Quantrill, the ship's logistics (or supply) officer, from Starcross, Devon , was greeted by his wife Natalie and their son Ruari, aged five months. Steve said: “I have had homecomings before, but this is an extra special one for me with Ruari meeting me for the first time. He is wonderful. I was allowed to fly home for his birth, but that was a long time ago for me and especially in the life of a baby. I am so pleased to be back home with my new family.”

Natalie said: “I have obviously missed Steve a lot. It might be a mix feeling for him though, now he has to get used to all those nappies now, just I have.”

Marine Engineer Petty Officer Dean Hughes, from Plymouth , was greeted by his son Joshua, ten months, and fiancée Kelly. Kelly, a communications specialist in the Royal Navy who also previously served on board HMS Somerset, said: “I have missed Dean for every day of the six months. It's great he's back. It's extra hard him being away now being a mum, but as a sailor I understand the demands of being away.”

Dean said: “I have really missed Kelly and Joshua. But it was a successful deployment. The highlight for me was visiting Haifa in Israel .”

Richard Moores, 28, of Stoke-on-Trent , was met by his parents Joyce and Alan, sister Lisa Moores, with her son Louis-James Moores, aged 3, and his second sister Karen Stefani and her son Mitchell.

Richard said he really enjoyed the deployment. He has been in the Royal Navy for two years and this was his first ship. Lisa said: “We have really missed him. It's great he's back home.”

Able seaman Lisa Campbell, 21, a stores accountant, from Plymouth , stepped off her ship to be met by her family and was immediately handed her new niece Rhiannon who she met for the first time because he was born two months ago when she was at sea. Lisa said: “It's so brilliant to be back to see my family, especially to see Rhiannon - she's gorgeous, exactly as I expected.”

Lisa enjoyed her first deployment: “It was wonderful. I really liked meeting the foreign ships like the Italians and the Greeks and visiting Malta .”

Lisa was met by her father Steven and her sister Tracey Cooke and her husband Colin Cooke. Tracey said: It's lovely to have her back.”

Able Seaman Chris White, 21, a warfare specialist on board HMS Somerset, said his first deployment lived up to his expectations: “It was great. We exercised with the Turkish, German and Italian ships. I swam in the Dead Sea and visited Slovenia, Israel and Turkey”. His mother Beverley and mother Jenny welcomed him home on the jetty.

Commander Rob Wilson, HMS Somerset's commanding officer, was met by his wife Tara and children Lizzie, 9, Alice , 5, and Morgan, 4 on the jetty. His older daughter Tabitha, 12, sailed into the docks on board her father's ship. Rob, of Portsmouth, said of Tabitha: “She had a wonderful time playing on all the equipment and having a go at operating all sorts. I'd say she would be an asset to the Navy.”

He was also delighted with his ship's achievements: “Our six-month secondment to NATO's Standing Maritime Group has been challenging, fun and rewarding. Integrating different nations into an efficient fighting unit has taken time, practice and patience, but we leave the force with a far better understanding of our partner nations' ethos, procedures and capabilities, having contributed fully to the ongoing maritime policing and defence diplomacy effort in the Mediterranean region.

“This deployment has demanded much of my sailors and they have delivered in every regard. They have proven to be excellent ambassadors for the Royal Navy and nation - I am fiercely proud of each and everyone of them.”

In addition to maritime security and intelligence-gathering patrols the deployment has been filled by a number of large-scale maritime exercises aimed at improving collective operational capability amongst the NATO allies. The ship's patrol included the largest anti-submarine exercise where HMS Somerset was unmatched in her ability to hunt ‘enemy' submarines, to the Italian Navy's top exercise when again the ship was primarily used as an anti-submarine picket.

In all these operations, the ship's embarked a Fleet Air Arm Lynx helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in the county of Somerset which proved to be a weapon of devastating ability, able to track down and engage these adversaries at great distances from the ship.

In between these patrols and exercises HMS Somerset took part in a defence diplomacy programme, visiting nine countries and 28 ports. Many of these visits have been part of NATO's Partnership for Peace initiative, the aim of which is to encourage non-NATO nations to join the efforts to create a safer and more secure maritime environment.

HMS Somerset will conduct a brief period of maintenance before sailing in September for a series of exercises. This period will also be used to catch up with the ship's many friends and affiliations in the County of Somerset . The crew take particular pride in the close links they have with councils, schools, sea cadet units and other bodies within the county.

The Devonport-based warship HMS Somerset returns home on Friday (1st August) after more than six months deployed. The frigate has strong connections with her namesake county and will be welcomed home by hundreds of families and friends of the crew.

The Type 22 frigate sailed on 21st January to join the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) in the Mediterranean where she has been the UK 's representative on Operation Active Endeavour – the continuous NATO operation to prevent maritime crime. Her duties included deterring the smuggling of arms, drugs and people by criminal and terrorist groups.

As part of the task group the ship has monitored shipping off North Africa and building up a vast maritime picture to ensure that no suspect vessel goes unwatched or reaches its destination unchecked.

Commander Rob Wilson, HMS Somerset's commanding officer, has been delighted with his ship's achievements: “Our six-month secondment to NATO's Standing Maritime Group has been challenging, fun and rewarding. Integrating different nations into an efficient fighting unit has taken time, practice and patience, but we leave the force with a far better understanding of our partner nations' ethos, procedures and capabilities, having contributed fully to the ongoing maritime policing and defence diplomacy effort in the Mediterranean region.

“This deployment has demanded much of my sailors and they have delivered in every regard. They have proven to be excellent ambassadors for the Royal Navy and nation - I am fiercely proud of each and everyone of them.”

In addition to maritime security and intelligence-gathering patrols the deployment has been filled by a number of large-scale maritime exercises aimed at improving collective operational capability amongst the NATO allies. The ship's patrol included the largest anti-submarine exercise where HMS Somerset was unmatched in her ability to hunt ‘enemy' submarines, to the Italian Navy's top exercise when again the ship was primarily used as an anti-submarine picket.

In all these operations, the ship's embarked a Fleet Air Arm Lynx helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in the county of Somerset which proved to be a weapon of devastating ability, able to track down and engage these adversaries at great distances from the ship.

In between these patrols and exercises HMS Somerset took part in a defence diplomacy programme, visiting nine countries and 28 ports. Many of these visits have been part of NATO's Partnership for Peace initiative, the aim of which is to encourage non-NATO nations to join the efforts to create a safer and more secure maritime environment.

The ship also hosted military personnel from various countries including sailors from Albania , Montenegro and Georgia who came onboard with the Royal Navy for periods at sea.

When the ship sails back into Plymouth Sound on Friday she will be welcomed back by Admiral Mark Stanhope, Commander-in-Chief Fleet. Commander Wilson said: “We are immensely honoured to be welcomed back by the Commander-in-Chief – it is a fitting recognition of the work my sailors have put in over the last 6 months. We'll also be eager return to our sorely missed families and friends, sure in the knowledge that we have delivered against every tenet of the mission set for us.”

HMS Somerset will conduct a brief period of maintenance before sailing in September for a series of exercises. This period will also be used to catch up with the ship's many friends and affiliations in the County of Somerset . The crew take particular pride in the close links they have with councils, schools, sea cadet units and other bodies within the county.

SOUTH WEST ROYAL NAVY SHIPS SEIZE 23 TONNES OF DRUGS IN GULF

Plymouth-based Royal Navy warships operating in the Gulf region have seized 23 tonnes of narcotics which could have helped to fund the insurgency fighting British forces in Afghanistan.

Seizures by coalition naval forces over the past five months can now be revealed – and total 30 tonnes, over 70 per cent of which (23 tonnes) was down to Royal Navy interceptions.

The British warships involved were Devonport-based frigates HMS Chatham and HMS Montrose, and the Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Edinburgh. They were supported by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary helicopter support ship Argus and her embarked Sea King aircraft.

Sailors and Royal Marines from the ships discovered hidden drugs in vessels along the so-called ‘Hash Highway', and often operated in the most unpleasant conditions. The narcotics they seized included hashish, opiates, cocaine and amphetamines.

Speaking from the Combined Maritime Forces headquarters in Bahrain, the Commander of Royal Navy forces in the region, Commodore Keith Winstanley, said: “The scourge of illegal drugs are one of the gravest threats to the long term security of Afghanistan, and a vital source of funding for the Taliban warlords who seek violence against Afghan, British and NATO forces. Our mission in Afghanistan is one of absolute importance and by seizing these drugs we have dealt a significant blow to the illegal trade. News of these successes has been kept quiet for operational reasons, but I am delighted that the tremendous efforts can now be recognised.”

Cdre Winstanley stressed the Coalition aspect of the counter-drugs operations, pointing out that tactical command at sea had been under the auspices of Pakistani, French and Canadian Task Force Commanders.

The Commanding Officer of HMS Chatham, Commander Martin Connell said: "This is a really positive result for HMS Chatham, but is in fact routine business for us.  We managed to locate the vessel and then conduct a very unpleasant boarding in demanding conditions.  My sailors and marines did an outstanding job in managing to locate six tons of illegal narcotics plus other significant intelligence." 

By some estimates hashish accounts for half the profits from the drug trade in the region. The United Nations World Drug Report estimates that drug addiction rates have almost tripled in the Arab world.

The Commanding Officer of HMS Chatham, Commander Martin Connell said, "This is a really positive result for HMS Chatham, but is in fact routine business for us. We managed to locate the vessel and then conduct a very unpleasant boarding in demanding conditions. My sailors and marines did an outstanding job in managing to locate 6 tons of illegal narcotics plus other significant intelligence."

HMS Chatham Warfare Officer Lieutenant Joanne Cave, who led the initial phase of the boarding, said:

"Boarding operations are always quite physical and arduous tasks but this particular boarding displayed the determination and professionalism of my team in an excellent light. We all worked hard to achieve the aim of securing, searching and collecting evidence from a vessel crawling with cockroaches and rats in the extreme heat of the Gulf.

“The success of the deployed Boarding Teams and the concurrent activity from HMS Chatham herself just goes to prove how versatile and capable the Ship's boarding assets are. The support of the boats crews and flight were also vital to the smooth running of the operation. To say that we have made a small effort towards stopping the trafficking of illegal drugs is a rewarding experience and one that I would gladly participate in again."

One of the boarding officers involved, Lieutenant Tom Philips said, "We realised something wasn't right when the crew said they had been fishing for 5 days but there were only a handful of fish in the freezer. The helicopter crew had also told us that the dhow's crew had been ditching bails out the back as we approached. However, around 35 of us were involved in the operation, supported by the main ship's company of 250 in HMS Chatham. We were working in pretty horrible conditions. When you are crawling through tight compartments in 50 degree heat and surrounded by rats and cockroaches, you have to remain pretty focussed. However, we had a job to do and everyone carried out their duties with the utmost professionalism; ultimately, the result was more than worth it!"

HMS VICTORIOUS LEAVES PLYMOUTH AFTER THREE-YEAR REFIT

Three and a half years after she was last submerged at sea HMS Victorious left Devonport, Plymouth, today (Thursday 10 July) sailed through Plymouth Sound and out to sea where she begins six months of trials.

The Trident missile submarine has been undergoing a major over haul (Long overhaul period) (Refuel), worth around £270m by Babcock Marine, at Devonport Naval Base since January 2005 and includes fitting the latest ‘H' core fuel into the reactor. The new reactor does not need refuelling and will power Victorious throughout her operational life.

Defence Equipment and Support Minister Baroness Ann Taylor said: ”These major works over a three-year-long period have completely regenerated HMS Victorious for her next commission. An essential part of the MoD's commitment to effectively equipping our armed forces is investment in the maintenance of our current equipment throughout its service life.

“An important element of this investment is sustaining the specialist skills base that exists at Devonport as the dedicated home of submarine refits in the UK .”

More than 80 design addition and alternations have been made, the most significant of which is the upgraded weapons systems which improve tactical and strategic capability.

Others include; a new propulsor and tail shaft, major overhaul of the safety critical 650kw motor generators, survey, repair and represervation of the huge main ballast tanks, substantial torpedo tube overhaul and upgrades and inspection of the main engines, gearbox, and turbo generators.

Director of In-Service Submarines at MoD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Alasdair Stirling said: “Fitting a new reactor core is a complex and technically demanding procedure that is carried out with the highest regard to safety and reflects the skill of Babcock Marine workers.

“The scale of the works has necessitated close working with Babcock Marine company to manage the programme and the success of the package demonstrates how the MoD works with industry to support the armed forces.

“Over the coming six months the sea trials will test the new capabilities and also give the crew the opportunity to try out the new accommodation which they were involved in helping redesign, given it is their home for months at a time.”

HMS Vigilant will be the next of the four-strong Vanguard-class to receive this major overhaul.

Refit milestones: January 2005 HMS Victorious arrived in Devonport, November 2006 refuelling completed, October 2007 flood-up, June 2008 final reactor testing, June 2008 pre-sea trials inspection and finally on July 2008 sea trials commenced.

Refit statistics: Over 2.2million man-hours, a total of 10,000 workers have been involved at various stages in the strip-out and overhaul of 14,000 items on board and another 2,600 new items have been manufactured.

The package also included 10,000 surveys carried out, 6,500 welds, 8,000 acoustic exterior tiles replaced, 400 systems tested by Devonport test organisation and 80 additions and alterations.

HMS Victorious facts: Length 149.9 metres by 12.8 metres by 12 metres, weight 15,980 tonnes dived, speed 20 knots-plus, armaments 16 Trident II D5 missile launchers and Spearfish torpedoes. She entered service in 1995 and is based at Faslane, Scotland.

HMS Victorious is one of four Vanguard Class submarines. The primary role of the class is nuclear deterrent, equipped with the Trident weapon system. The class of submarine is also equipped with a comprehensive range of sensors, decoys and a powerful torpedo armament for use in self-defence.

Warrant Officer Andy Cray, 42, has been awarded the MBE for his ground-breaking work with the Plymouth-based amphibious landing ship HMS Albion.

The marine engineering specialist said: “Being awarded a MBE is the ultimate accolade to a long and successful career.”

Andy, from Plymouth, now works in Devonport Naval Base for the Superintendant Fleet Maintenance organisation where he is responsible for the maintenance of 36 landing craft in the Royal Navy's Fleet.

The award for his work while HMS Albion's propulsion manager involved the ship undergoing an extensive £8m, nine-month extensive work programme. The most significant of which being the heavy engineering upgrade of the high voltage propulsion system which improved the ship's safety and survivability when damaged or not working in some way.

His role included demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities, initiative and enthusiasm and in doing so helped develop the first outline design solution, bringing early credibility and focussed direction to the programme.

This encompassed a scale of work that had not been seen during any other similar work package and to crown the achievement it was completed ahead of schedule. This success created an additional time to complete a trials programme and operational sea training under the Flag Officer Sea training Organisation (FOST).

Leading on from the training the ship carried out a very successful large multi-national deployment during which the complex propulsion system was fully tested and proven to meet all requirements. An added benefit of this process was that the same design was implemented in Albion's sister ship HMS Bulwark.

Andrew has been in the Royal Navy for 25yrs and six months and his previous ships include HMS Lindisfarne, HMS Brave, HMS Chatham, HMS Alacrity and HMS Hermes. His other awards were the Yugoslavia , Queens Jubilee, Long Service and Good Conduct medals.

Among his hobbies and interests are DIY and gardening while he is also a sports enthusiast. Andrew is married to Elizabeth Kennedy and has the following children Benjamin Cray, 14, attending Ridgeway School, Plympton, William and Christopher Cray, 11, attending Glen Park School, Plympton

He spent his childhood in Mevagissey and St Austell when his last school was Penrice in St Austell from 1977-1982 and his mother is Maureen Cray.

Thousands of pupils from schools across the city have been learning how to stay safe and healthy as part of a three-week event organised by Plymouth City Council in partnership with the Royal Navy.

The Junior Life Skills programme, for year-six pupils, supports schools in delivering personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE) by promoting personal and community safety and showing youngsters what it takes to be good citizens.

It makes children aware of the risks and dangers associated with fire, electricity, water, drugs, anti-social behaviour, bulling and running away from home and will equip them with the skills they need to stay safe.

Captain Charlie King, Captain of the Base in Devonport, said: “A professional and high profile health and safety culture is at the heart of Devonport Naval Base's business so it is entirely fitting that this Junior Life Skills programme is hosted by the base.

“We are delighted to play our part in this vital practical education of Plymouth 's primary school children and when I visited them their smiles and enthusiasm said it all.

“Events such as these are not only an essential component of life-long learning, but they also strengthen the important relationship between the city and Devonport Naval Base, reinforcing the base's contribution to employment and economic activity in the region.”

Sessions were held at the MOD sports training facilities at Bull Point from until yesterday (Thursday 19 June), where professionals from the council's behaviour support team and environmental health department, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, the RNLI, Western Power, the Office of Rail Regulations and the Personal Education Finance Group led interactive activities and demonstrations.

More than 2,700 pupils took part in the event looking at a wide range of issues from bullying, anti-social behaviour and drugs misuse to basic food hygiene, beach safety and action on fire breaking out.

Plymouth Councillor Grant Monahan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We all want our children to have fun and try out new things but it's important to make them aware of the risks that are out there and what to do if they have a problem. The Junior Life Skills programme shows young people how to look after themselves and prepares them for adult life. It's fantastic that so many organisations support this initiative and special thanks go to the Royal Navy for hosting the sessions up at Bull Point."

DEVONPORT ROYAL NAVAL TECHNICIANS WORK ON JACKAL

Royal Naval technicians are helping assemble the armoured vehicle Jackal in HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth. The land–based work is unusual for marine engineering sailors who normally working on warship machinery at sea. Jackal is part of a commercial project contracted to Babcock Marine, in Devonport, by the Ministry of Defence.

The project involves assembling a vehicle primarily for UK deployed forces, predominantly in Afghanistan and Iraq.  The Jackal is a four-wheel-drive all-terrain fighting vehicle with several weapon mounts and a heavy duty engine/suspension.  The current contract runs through the summer but it is highly likely that this will be extended for a further year.

Working as an addition to the partnering contract between Superintendent Fleet Maintenance, and the commercial dockyard eight Royal Naval engineers at any one time have been integrated into the Babcock's assembly line team, working alongside civilian mechanics and engineers to produce finished Jackals.

Warrant Officer Mike Hall said: “ The work on the Jackal gives qualified Royal Navy engineers experience they would not normally get. It is good for any engineer to have variety and a new challenge.”

Petty Officer Chris Peet, 35, of Plymouth , a weapons engineer, said: “This work has taken me out of my comfort zone and I am enjoying it a lot. I would normally work on a ship on the same systems such as hydraulics and pneumatics, but I have not worked on these on a vehicle. It is good experience from a technical point of view and from a working alongside civilians – again a new thing for most of us.”

PO Jess Owen is working with the Royal Marines in Chivenor, North Devon , where he has already broadened his engineering experience compared with working on a ship. He is familiarising himself with the Jackal before he is deployed to Afghanistan. He said: “I will be going out to Afghanistan where we will be working on maintaining the Jackals in the tough desert where they will be worked hard. We therefore, need to work out before we go out there, the initial trouble-shooting areas to look for a simple fault before we have to open the handbook and delve deeper.”

The sailors work the standard Babcock hours of 37 hours per week.  This working routine is ideally suited to a Devonport-based sailor who would benefit from a stable working day with the ability to plan extraneous activities in advance.  Although the daily care of people comes under Babcock's, a warrant officer monitors the welfare of the sailors. The sailors work eight weeks on the project before being replaced with new staff.

Jackals are crewed by three and are well armed, swift, and agile and provide some serious firepower.  They will deliver a more firepower and a better range and mobility. They are fast for a four tonne vehicle, with a potential top speed of 80mph (130km/h).

The vehicle can operate across a whole range of terrain, something which is useful in the desert, especially in Afghanistan where much of the terrain does not have roads. It is used for reconnaissance, assault, fire support and convoy protection and has a range of over 800km.

The Jackal is armed with a general purpose machine gun as crew protection and can carry either a heavy machine gun or grenade machine gun as the main weapon system in the fire support role.

A range of firepower can be fitted including a .50 calibre machine gun or an automatic gun.

 Open-topped vehicles, like weapons-mounted Land Rovers and Jackal provide better situational awareness and allow a greater interaction with the local population. Additionally, these vehicles are often lighter, more mobile than fully enclosed ones, which in itself provides protection from other threats. Having these vehicles in war zones gives our military commanders greater flexibility to match each task with the most appropriate vehicle type.

RFA Largs Bay returns 20 th June

RFA Largs Bay, one of the Royal Navy's large amphibious landing ships, returns to Falmouth on Friday following a highly successful seven month deployment to the Western Atlantic and Caribbean during which she played a key role in the international fight against drug smuggling.

The highlight of the deployment was the seizure of 575kg of cocaine, with a street value in excess of £20 million. Additionally, the ship took part in training exercises with Defence Forces from Caribbean nations including Jamaica, Barbados and Martinique and was also on standby to provide relief to dependant territories should a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, strike.

Capt Trevor Iles said, “We return to UK waters after an eventful and successful seven month Atlantic Patrol North deployment. Highlights have included involvement in two major drug seizures and working closely with the military forces of other nations in the Caribbean theatre. Largs Bay is a new ship that brings exciting capabilities to the wide variety of tasks in the area. It is good to be back in the UK and now our focus shifts to representing the RFA for the presentation of the Queens Colour in Portsmouth next month.”

During the deployment, the ships company of RFA Largs Bay even found time to stage a football match against the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force

Largs Bay found a home from home in Willemstad on the Dutch Antilles Island of Curacao. Spending nearly five weeks in the islands highly professional dockyards for much needed Assisted Maintenance, this after steaming more than 15000 nautical miles on patrol. Largs Bay left an impression on the local population and was invited to participate in the highly popular Dutch Navy Days, where the ship attracted non stop interest from the minute the gates opened. The ships guided tours being the most popular attraction of the whole day. With the support of a team from the office of the British High Commission the profile of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary was hopefully raised to a higher level.

It was while alongside in Willemstad that one of the most bizarre occurrences of the deployment happened. As Largs Bay lay at her berth, she was struck by another ship. The container ship MV Rickman Rickman's was leaving the container berth heading for Panama when strong winds and lack of tug controls resulted in the ship colliding with Largs Bay . Although there was never any great danger to the Ships Company or the vessel, all hands were brought to Emergency Stations to affect damage repairs and carry out a one hundred percent search of every compartment, checking the watertight integrity of the vessel and all major systems. Fortunately, after temporary repairs and independent survey by the local Lloyds surveyor, the ship was passed safe and proceed to sea the next day.

Largs Bay supported a visit to the area by Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope KCB OBE; Commander in Chief which included passage from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Bridgetown , Barbados. There, Largs Bay was the venue for high profile lunch for local dignitaries and other VIP's. Before departing, Sir Mark gave the ship a large thumbs up and thanked everyone for their first class help & hospitality. Largs Bay will be the host to The Earl of Wessex when he presents the RFA with the Queens Colour on the 18 th of July, which should be one of the most memorable days in the RFA's history.

Largs Bay is designed to carry an Embarked Military Force of 356 fully equipped troops however this number can be doubled in war ‘overload' conditions. As well as transporting troops, Largs Bay can carry 32 Challenger Main Battle Tanks a vast array of other military vehicles and 12 x 40 or 24 x 20 TEU containers.

Largs Bay has the aviation capability to transport and operate two medium (EH101 Merlin size) and Chinook helicopters, having power available for starting and servicing the aircraft, and the ability to re-fuel them on deck and in-flight. Whilst sufficient flight deck space exists to simultaneously operate two Merlin's, the class will initially have only one fully serviceable operating spot. An aircraft shelter has been added since her introduction into service.

Largs Bay's design includes a dock able to accommodate a single LCU Mk10 or 2 LCVP Mk5. Two Mexeflote powered rafts can also be side lifted. She is also fitted with 2 x 30 tonne cranes to load small craft and other deck cargo.

Largs Bay is equipped with steerable electric-powered thrusters and a bow thrusters unit. She is extremely manoeuvrable and capable of Dynamic Positioning; the ability to automatically maintain a fixed position on any heading based on satellite determined information.