Royal Navy’s HMSML Gleaner officially retired
The Royal Navy’s smallest survey vessel, HMSML Gleaner, has been officially retired from service and decommissioned at Devonport Naval Base, the navy announced on 19 February.
HMSML Gleaner was in service with the Royal Navy for 35 years. Initially designated an inshore survey vessel for hydrographic survey operations along the south coast of the UK, the vessel later served around the UK and internationally.
Gleaner will be replaced by the 18m HMS Magpie. Magpie will be delivered to the Royal Navy later this year. The new ship is a modern catamaran design which will enable the navy to harness the latest technology and operate a more diverse range of survey equipment, including autonomous underwater vehicles.
In 2016, Gleaner conducted an extensive survey of the Firth of Forth, including accurately measuring the heights of the bridges over the Firth to ensure that the Queen Elizabeth carrier could safely depart Rosyth.
Gleaner’s final survey period was of the approaches to Portsmouth Naval Base, Queen Elizabeth’s new home, where the vessel ensured that the carrier could operate safely.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Canadian Coast Guard awards pre-construction contract for MPVs
The company received the Construction Engineering and Long Lead Items contract after having completed the Basic Design review for the vessels in late 2023.
-
Italy’s Fincantieri signs $1.3 billion contract to supply PPAs to Indonesia
The contract will include two PPA units which were originally designed for and ordered by the Italian Navy.
-
Brazil’s Navy launches third Riachuelo attack submarine
The ceremony was attended by Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron.