LONDON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- HMS Scott, the Royal Navy's only ocean survey vessel, is undergoing a seven-month refit by British engineering firm Babcock.
Babcock said during the docking period the ship will be fitted with a new sewage treatment plant, new lifeboat davits and a new uninterrupted power supply to the ship's sonar suite.
A program of deep maintenance will also be carried out and includes overhaul of more than 500 valves, two diesel engines, various motors, pumps and compressors as well as the rudder, propeller and shaft. A structural survey will identify any repair work required and additional surveys will be carried out on ballast system pipework.
A large paint package will also be undertaken, including preservation of the whole outer bottom, ship sides, all decks and super structure.
"In delivering this project Babcock ... will be drawing on our extensive experience of warship deep maintenance, to deliver HMS Scott safely, to quality, on-schedule, and at optimum value for money," said Mo Morey, Babcock's project manager.
"The refit will be challenging as HMS Scott is a unique vessel built to commercial standards. We have taken a proactive approach, utilizing our fleet time experience of the platform and undertaking extensive surveys of the vessel prior to the refit period to understand her material state and identify and mitigate downstream risks to the project."
