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.
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