HMS Brocklesby to return to operations early

The Royal Navy’s mine countermeasure vessel HMS Brocklesby will return to the navy’s surface fleet four months earlier than scheduled following completion of upkeep work by BAE Systems, the company announced on 19 June.

Maintenance work on the ship has been carried out at BAE Systems’ Minor War Vessels Centre of Specialisation at Portsmouth Naval Base, and the vessel has now begun its sea trials programme.

During the ship’s maintenance, HMS Brocklesby’s entire propulsion system was replaced, including the machinery controls and surveillance system. Other upgrades include overhauling the ship’s chilled water plant and fitting new propellers. Upgrade and refurbishment work has also been carried out on the galley.

David Mitchard, managing director, Maritime Services, BAE Systems said: ‘The work carried out on board HMS Brocklesby is the largest refit programme for a Royal Navy minehunter we have undertaken, so to begin her sea trials four months earlier than any previous upkeep for a Hunt class vessel is a terrific achievement.’

The next vessel scheduled for upkeep is HMS Quorn, which was moved into the Minor War Vessels Centre of Specialisation in December 2016 with work due to begin later this year.

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Hunt Class