UK Docks are now six months in to their recently awarded 10-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence providing ship maintenance and through life support management services for the marine survey vessels HMS Protector, HMS Echo and HMS Enterprise.
HMS Protector (IMO 9233799) is currently undergoing a maintenance package in Detyen’s Shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. This is the second maintenance package in six months which UKD have scoped, planned and managed under the new contract.
The original maintenance period was scheduled to be carried out in Chille, South America but due to operational reasons a change in location was required which involved a huge amount of re-organisation at short notice in order to carry the works at another location.
In the main, the work scope included a number of class repairs, a 20,000hrs overhaul of one of the Rolls-Royce Bergen BRM/G 8 Main Engines, inspection and repairs to the coatings in one of the fresh water tanks, cleaning and surveying of the fuel tanks, repairs and maintenance to the starboard anchor capstain and port aft rope winch, maintenance and upgrades to the ships electrical equipment and various mechanical systems, pipework systems and accommodation upgrades. In addition, the entire vessel was fresh water washed from the mast to the waterline followed by paint coating repairs to the hull, decks and accommodation structure.
The maintenance package is due to complete late November where the vessel will carry out comprehensive sea trials after which it will continue with its onward passage.