The Royal Navy ship HMS Scott has returned to sea prior to deploying to her primary mission of deep water surveying.
The Plymouth-based deep bathymetric survey ship is designed to map the ocean floor and gathers information on the data-sparse waters of the world’s oceans. She will return to this tasking in the next week in the Atlantic after conducting testing off the South West coast having sailed from Devonport Naval Base.
Fitted with a suite of advanced sensors, HMS Scott can survey 150km2 of ocean floor every hour; simultaneously gathering navigational, gravity and bathymetric data.
HMS Scott has been in her base-port at Devonport since returning earlier this year from deploying to the Antarctic for a maintenance period and training. Her crew have been honing their skills through extensive training, from sharpening vital seamanship skills which include working on the bridge team simulator and on damage-control exercises and to developing further the specialised skills of the surveyors through practical training ashore, including support from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office.
Commander George Tabeart, commanding officer of HMS Scott, said: “Following maintenance HMS Scott is now in fine fettle to return to her main role of ocean survey. After a tailored trials and training period in local waters, the ship will return to the deep ocean to continue adding to our knowledge of the seabed.
“Having worked hard to prepare for the challenges ahead my ship’s company are looking forward to getting back to sea and being productive once more. While we have enjoyed the benefits of the advice, support and services available in Devonport, and are grateful to all the expertise provided by our various partners locally, we are ready to resume our work having spent the longest ever period alongside in our home port.”
The ship has also honoured the memory of her namesake. HMS Scott helped celebrate the centenary of the Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica led by Captain Robert F Scott RN; teaming up with affiliates such as Scott Hospital and the Scott Polar Research Institute.
The centenary activities included crew members taking part in seminars and lectures held at Plymouth University, while tours of HMS Scott were offered to showcase the third Royal Navy ship to be named Scott. Events concluded with a mess dinner at HMS Drake in Devonport Naval Base with HMS Scott’s crew, other guests from the Royal Navy, polar communities and descendants from the original Terra Nova expedition.
HMS Scott is the Royal Navy’s deep-water ocean survey vessel. As the fifth largest ship in the fleet, the ship’s size is a consequence of the sonar fit, capable of surveying the deepest oceans in continuous lines of up to 400 miles in length and has a crew of 78.
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