Echo Class Survey Multi-Role Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Vessels

The introduction of HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise will complete the modernisation of the Royal Navy's Hydrographic Surveying Squadron (HSS) which began with the arrival of HMS Scott in 1997. Officially classified as SV(HO)s (Survey Vessel Hydrographic and Oceanographic), the Echo Class will work with the Fleet in front-line operational roles, including the support of mine warfare and amphibious operations, as well as undertaking specialist surveying tasks.

[Programme History] [Specification & Features] [Pictures]

By the mid-1990s, the Royal Navy's Hydrographic Flotilla was in a poor state, depleted in numbers and lacking modern vessels. When the ocean survey vessel HMS Hecla (A133) left service in 1997, she was one of the oldest serving ships in the Royal Navy, having first commissioned in 1965. However the arrival of Hecla's replacement, HMS Scott (H131), marked a change in the squadron's fortunes. Firstly, at 13,500-tonnes HMS Scott was much bigger than the vessel she replaced and she was also the largest survey vessel in Western Europe. Secondly, by employing a unique crew rotation system, HMS Scott was able to spend much longer periods at sea, usually around 300 days a year. Thirdly, HMS Scott was fitted with the very latest equipment and represented a vast technological improvement over her predecessors, capable of working in deeper waters and of processing information at a much greater rate: she could map an area of seabed in a matter of hours, when it would have taken her predecessor several days. Finally, HMS Scott was built by the small Devon company, Appledore Shipbuilders, and delivered both on time and on budget.

The other members of the Survey Squadron were also in need of replacement: HMS Bulldog (H317) and HMS Beagle (H319) had first commissioned in 1968 while HMS Herald (H138) had entered service in 1974. An order for an ocean survey ship to replace Herald and two smaller coastal survey vessels to replace Bulldog, Beagle and HMS Roebuck (H130) was generally expected in 1996 but was delayed. Then in 1997 a new Government came to power, and whilst they were committed to replacing the surveying capability provided by the existing vessels, they were prepared to investigate alternative means of providing the service. One such solution under consideration was a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) whereby Oceanographic and Hydrographic services would be procured through private partnership arrangements, rather than through direct procurement of survey vessels by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

However, the PFI procurement route was rejected and in March 2000 Southampton based shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft were selected as the preferred bidder for an £100 million contract to build new vessels for delivery in 2002. The exact number and type of ship was at this stage still under negotiation, and although the names had not been finalised, a report in Navy News suggested the names Cook, Shackleton, Endeavour and Enterprise were all under consideration. The deal was an example of the new "smart procurement" policy of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), under which negotiations for orders are conducted under a partnering arrangement with a prime contractor. Vosper Thornycroft , as prime contractor, made the decision to hold a tendering exercise to design and build the survey ships. However, due to an unforeseen lack of short-term work in their Southampton yard, Vosper Thornycroft subsequently proposed to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that they should be allowed to undertake the ship construction work in their own facilities rather than sub-contract. This proposal was rejected and Vosper was forced to search for a sub-contractor.

On June 19th 2001 the Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an £130 million order with Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. for the design and build of two new specialist warships, known as 'Multi-Role Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Vessels' and named Echo and Enterprise. Appledore Shipbuilders in Appledore, North Devon were awarded the £44 million sub-contract to construct the vessels. As prime contractor Vosper Thronycroft will run the programme from its Woolston headquarters. It will also mean work for Vosper's Halmatic yard VT Controls in Hampshire. The contract also covered the support of the ships throughout their 25 year service life with the Royal Navy: once the ships are operational, Vosper Thornycroft will assume the ship-management role and will supply spares, maintenance and other support services for the two ships.

The announcement was welcomed not least because it was the first order for a warship of any shape or size by Labour since coming to power in 1997. The news was also celebrated by Appledore Shipbuilders, one of North Devon's biggest employers, where the subcontract would safeguard hundreds of jobs at both the shipyard and with associated businesses and suppliers. Jim Wilson, Appledore's Managing Director said "It's good for the workforce. It will be a tight job, but every job is tight. I am very pleased for the people here. Of course building survey ships is not new to Appledore Shipbuilders having delivered HMS Scott in 1997 on time at a fixed price".

Attending the signing of the contract at Appledore, Defence Procurement Minister, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean said: "These ships will play a vital role in the Royal Navy's future operations worldwide. HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise will represent a major enhancement of the capabilities of the Royal Navy's Survey Squadron. I am delighted that the prime contractor Vosper Thornycroft has, after a keen competition, placed the sub contract for the construction of these vessels with Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd. Construction work is expected to sustain about 800 jobs in the shipyard and its local suppliers over the next 3 years". Vosper Thornycroft Chief executive Martin Jay said: "VT is delighted that the contract appointing us as prime contractor for the supply and through-life support for these innovative vessels has now been signed".

The latest "Smart Procurement" principles have been applied to the project and the vessels are to be constructed to commercial standards, making use of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) technology.

In August 2000 it was announced that Kongsberg Simrad had been awarded a prestigious multi-million pound contract by Vosper Thornycroft to provide an extensive integrated survey system for Echo, Enterprise and their associated survey motor boats. The system will allow oceanographic and hydrographic data to be acquired and processed at sea and further processed by systems provided by Kongsberg at the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton. Kongsberg Simrad will also integrate, as part of the contract, a suite of oceanographic and hydrographic systems manufactured by other companies as well as its own systems and in addition will work closely with the preferred navigation systems supplier to provide an integrated survey and navigation system. Support for all products provided with this contract will be undertaken over the following 25 years and will include the training of Royal Navy and Vosper Thornycroft staff. A further suite of training systems is to be installed at the Royal Navy Hydrographic School in HMS Drake. The following Kongsberg Simrad products will be supplied in the contract:

Erik Sørensen, Sales and Marketing Director for Kongsberg Simrad comments "This contract demonstrates the company's capability in integrating a large suite of complex oceanographic & hydrographic sensors, data processing and vessel positioning systems as well our expertise in manufacturing world leading survey and positioning systems." Commenting for Vosper Thornycroft Adrian Burt said, "This project represents a breakthrough for the company in an expanding market for survey vessels for national hydrographic services. We selected Kongsberg Simrad as a trusted and innovative leader in the survey systems business who will be a long-term partner for us in the support of these vessels."

In March 2001 Appledore placed a contract with Vosper Thornycroft Controls to provide propulsion system switchboards and integrated platform management systems.

HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise were built in 102-tonne steel sections by Vosper Thornycroft. These blocks were then sent to North Devon for assembly in the huge covered dock owned by Appledore Shipbuilders. The first 102-tonne giant steel hull section arrived at Appledore in April 2001.

HMS Echo was floated out and named at Appledore on March 4th 2002. The ceremony was performed by Lady Haddacks, wife of Vice Admiral Sir Paul Haddacks, NATO Director of International Military Staff.

With construction of Echo and Enterprise well underway, the remaining units of the Hydrographic Surveying Squadron (HSS) were rapidly withdrawn from service: HMS Herald was decommissioned on May 31st 2001, followed by HMS Bulldog on July 26th 2001 and finally by HMS Beagle on February 7th 2002.

Meanwhile a survey was undertaken to examine whether the Royal Navy requires a third Echo class survey vessel, or whether the two units currently under construction will be able to fulfil the current obligations of the four vessels leaving service.

The names Echo and Enterprise had previously been used for two Inshore Survey Vessels which were withdrawn from service in 1985. HMS Echo will be affiliated to Tiverton, Devon, and HMS Enterprise is to be linked with Taunton in Somerset.

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HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise will carry the pennant numbers H87 and H88, respectively. They will be based at Devonport Dockyard, home of the Hydrographic Surveying Squadron.

The Echo class will be the first ships in the Royal Navy to employ omni-directional podded electrical propulsion. This will provide a high degree of maneuverability and station-keeping as well as maintenance savings throughout the 25-year life of each ship. Their considerably improved stability at sea also means they will be able to carry out survey work for 90 percent of the year in seas much rougher than before.

They take advantage of the latest advances in commercial surveying equipment , including multi-beam echo sounders, married with leading edge products developed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. They will be equipped cutting edge technology, including multi-beam echo sounders and modern side-scan sonars, as well as the most advanced navigation and communications systems. They will also have operations rooms for MCM squadron tasking staff.

For their survey role, the Echo Class will have core complement of 45, but when undertaking other roles, such as mine-counter measure support, accommodation exists for a further 35 personnel. The Royal Navy believe that by rotating the 46-strong crew, Echo and Enterprise will capable of extended deployments and will be available for operations 330 days a year- a 50 per cent improvement over the vessels they will replace.

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Above: HMS Echo pictured shortly after being floated out for the first time. © Vosper Thornycroft Ltd.

Above: An artist's impression of the "Echo Class" Survey Vessel. The design shows a flight deck positioned forward of the bridge, representing a departure from previous designs. © Vosper Thornycroft Ltd.

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