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.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation]()
US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation
The US Navy’s planned nuclear-powered warship carries a US$275 billion price tag, but the greater story lies in the industrial overhaul needed to build it, from AI-enabled design to digital twins and modular construction.
-
![RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV]()
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
-
![Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand]()
Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand
Rheinmetall’s order to modernise the German Navy frigate Bayern points to a wider European shift towards extending warship service life as new-build programmes face delay.
-
![The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement]()
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
