Babcock Starts Drydocking Period of Fourth Royal Navy’s Ship

The Royal Navy’s ship, HMS Monmouth, docked at Babcock’s Royal Dockyard in Devonport on January 31st, 2014 for support period.

During the 15-month overhaul, HMS Monmouth will receive a new Arisan 3D Medium Range Radar 997, Vertical Launch Seawolf midlife update, galley updates, as well as a chloropac system, which will reduce marine growth in the pipe system.
Innovative hydraulic lifting process will be used on the type-23 frigate for the first time. Babcock will fully remove the dock blocks to allow survey and painting of the hull, Babcock Warship Support SSS Delivery Director, Mike Weeks, said.
HMS Monmouth is also known as ‘The Black Duke’ and she is the only ship in the Royal Navy that has her name painted in black and plain black flag. The black flag and the black name are due to the Monmouth Rebellion against James II of England.
The ship is expected to leave Devonport in early 2015 for sea trials and return to the Royal Navy’s fleet in mid 2015.

HMS MONMOUTH SPECIFICATIONS
Length	133 m
Beam	16.1 m
Draught	7.3 m
Displacement	2325 tons surfaced, 3076 tons submerged
Speed	4,900 tonnes, standard
Complement	185
Range	28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Status	Active

Naval Today Staff, February 4, 2014; Image: Wikimedia