A&P’s Falmouth yard is currently working on an exciting project to build full size replicas of parts of naval warships to be used for training purposes at a new land-based training facility near Plymouth.
Replicas of parts of two warships – Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers – are being mocked up by A&P Falmouth and will be installed at HMS Raleigh as part of a new training facility to teach sailors how to safely transfer vital supplies from ship to ship while at sea.
The 170 tonne steel ship structures will be transported to HMS Raleigh, in Torpoint, once complete – which will be a logistical challenge in itself. The huge replicas will be broken down into smaller parts, transported by road, and reassembled at HMS Raleigh.
The five-month project, which is due to be completed in January 2012, has kept 25 of the internationally renowned ship repair company’s highly skilled steelworkers busy since it began in August.
HMS Raleigh, in Torpoint, is the Royal Navy’s premier training establishment in the South West where all recruits receive the first part of their naval training. The MoD has a contract with Rolls-Royce to develop a new range of replenishment at sea (RAS) equipment and build the new training training facility. RAS is a method of transferring fuel, munitions and general stores from one ship to another and takes place during the day or night and in all weathers. Rolls Royce has subcontracted the construction of the steel replicas to A&P Falmouth.
Peter Child , Managing Director of A&P Falmouth, said: “We have been working with Rolls-Royce since the start of the service contract for the RFA Argus in 2006.
“This has evolved into a cluster contract, a 30-year contract between A&P and the MoD where we provide upkeep support to some of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. The success and longevity of our relationship with Rolls-Royce is one which we are extremely proud of.”
David McConnell , Director of Naval Programmes for Rolls Royce, said: “Replenishment-at-sea is a vital part of modern naval operations and we are pioneering an innovative system that will deliver world-leading capability for the Royal Navy. The A&P team has made significant progress on the fabrication of the replica ship structures, which are designed to make the training as realistic as possible.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , January 31, 2012; Image: ap-group