Feature 3
cost-efficiency, as part of the through- a major focus. Routing a large bore high fl exible ships in the fl eet. Improvements to
life maintenance strategy developed by temperature exhaust system through the accommodation for both embarked Royal
the Joint Project Team (JPT), consisting confi ned spaces of the ship presented a Marines and the ship’s company refl ect the
of Babcock Marine, Major Warships IPT, particular challenge.’ fact that the ship is now deployed more
Equipment IPT, SFM Devonport, and The upgrade and maintenance widely around the world and is away
Fleet. ‘We’ve worked together to identify programme on HMS Ocean is an from port for much longer periods than
and remove any unnecessary maintenance exceptionally large scale surface ship DP envisaged when she entered service 10
work and optimise the Ministry of Defence project, on one of the most powerful and years ago. WT
specification, resulting in significant
savings,’ Clark said. BMT completes RFA Argus study
New Coatings BMT Defence Services Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has completed
Application of the new fl ouropolymer- a study of safety issues to determine feasible options for implementation
based foul release coating (the fi rst such during the planned 2008 refi t of RFA Argus.
application on a capital warship) in Argus was launched in 1981, requisitioned for service in the Falklands
preference to traditional systems, and War of 1982 and became a permanent part of the Ministry of Defence in
removal of the existing underwater paint, 1988. An aviation training and support ship, with a secondary role as a
is one of the many challenges faced, and an primary casualty receiving ship, RFA Argus has a displacement of 28,000
illustration of the effi ciencies and savings tonnes and a fi ve-spot landing deck for helicopters and Harrier fi xed wing
achieved on this project. aircraft. Originally a roll-on/roll-off ferry, RFA Argus can also transport and
‘Th is requirement was a change to the quickly load and unload vehicles.
original specifi cation which had allowed The ship’s primary casualty receiving facility is centred on a recently
for only 20 per cent coating renewal, upgraded 100 bed hospital, an operating theatre and advanced medical
and would have extended the docking equipment. Its refi t, carried out at A&P Falmouth in 2006-07, required
period by two to three weeks using amendments to safety certifi cates, which are due to be renewed at the
conventional blasting techniques,’ Clark end of 2008.
explained. ‘A joint decision was taken The Ministry of Defence’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service (RFAS) Integrated
by Babcock Marine and the Ministry of Project Team, now Afl oat Support Directorate, commissioned the
Defence to employ the latest techniques feasibility study, which was placed with cluster contractor A&P Falmouth.
in hydro-blasting to remove the existing A&P Falmouth and BMT have worked together since January 2006, co-
system – utilising ultra high pressure water operating on A&P Falmouth’s refi t of RFA Argus, and on various warship
(UHP) and remotely-controlled crawlers refi t bids. Acting as A&P Falmouth’s design agent for the feasibility study,
and hand-held lances – which enabled BMT investigated the ship’s structural safety, stability, casualty escape
other critical dock dependent work on and evacuation, and fi re safety.
shaft s, rudders and stabilisers to continue During the study, BMT worked closely with Ministry stakeholders such
simultaneously, with minimal disruption, as the RFAS IPT, Director Equipment Capability, Fleet Command, Fleet
saving considerable time.’ MedOps, ARGUS Waterfront Team, Technical Enabling Service Air Systems
A further example lay in the pyrolysis Group, Naval Authority Integrated Project Teams (IPT) and the ship’s
equipment installation, involving staff, as well as A&P Falmouth, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and with those
concurrent design and engineering work responsible for awarding Key Hazard Certifi cates.
under an initiative introduced by the JPT. ‘The safety issues were interrelated and the study was quite complex
Babcock, which has responsibility for due to constraints imposed by the vessel itself,’ said David Lester-Card,
supporting the amphibious ships under Head of Naval Engineering at BMT Defence Services. 'We’ve made
the Design Support Alliance (DSA), recommendations and, subject to decisions on the ship’s roles, the
worked with plant designer Qinetiq in a project will progress to the assessment and detailed design phase through
collaborative approach that accelerated to August 2008.’
the equipment development and ‘By building on our partnership with A&P and the wider project team
installation process. associated with this work, the development of the study has satisfi ed
‘Installation of the pyrolysis equipment the key requirement sets. This has resulted in DEC redefi ning RFA Argus’
required a large space to be located, primary role post the 2008 refi t and, therefore, allowed the MOD to
and a substantial hole to be cut in the prepare for the extensive conversion package together with Cluster
side of the ship. Significant alterations Managers, A&P Falmouth.’
were required to the ship’s structure, BMT Defence Services is continuing to support A&P and the newly
and interfaces with many of the critical formed Afl oat Support Directorate in the development of the design
mechanical and electrical systems had solutions that are being incorporated in the 2008 refi t.
to be established,’ Clark said. ‘Safety was
Warship Technology July/August 2008 25
WTJul-Aug08_p24+25.indd Sec1:25 7/22/08 7:22:58 PM
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