(April 2001)
Survey Vessel Assembly Begins
The first 102 tonne steel hull sections for hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessels HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise have arrived at Appledore Shipyard in North Devon. Echo and Enterprise are due to be floated out next year so to keep to schedule the blocks have been constructed by Vosper Thornycroft and transported to Appledore for assembly.
Meanwhile a survey is being undertaken to examine whether the Royal Navy requires a third new survey vessel or whether Echo and Enterprise will be able to fulfil the current obligations of the four vessels leaving service