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RFA Stirling Castle

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is as a trials platform to act as an offshore forward operating base, deploying Mine Countermeasures Maritime Autonomous Systems (MCM MAS), and drones to protect offshore subsea infrastructure. It will also be used as a platform for training RFA personnel on MCM MAS operations. For the employment of
581:. In December it was reported that the ship has been engaged in few activities since those initial trials. Her formal naming ceremony was delayed until Spring 2024 with reports suggesting that she might have to undergo docking in order to correct certain defects. However, from January to March 2024 449:, a multi-role ocean surveillance ship to protect seabed infrastructure and communications. Up to three additional ships performing the role of mine countermeasures command and support vessel are also planned for acquisition. These will either be converted former commercial vessels, similar to RFA 593:
In August 2024 it was revealed that the ship's crane was damaged and therefore was unable to launch or recover boats. This rendered it ineffective in its main role. Due to the combination of this defect and a shortage of RFA crew the ship was effectively inactive.
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unmanned systems, the ship incorporates a crane with a safe working load of 10 tonnes at a 34m radius and 5 tonnes at a 40m radius. The ship's conversion was said to have been completed in May 2023 and she began sea trials prior to assuming her new role.
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was reported to have undertaken additional operational sea training in preparation for work with the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group at the Clyde naval base. In April 2024, in a ceremony attended by
1195:"@NavyLookout. @RFAStrlngCastle has completed FOST and arrived in Faslane this morning for the first time. Will soon begin work in support of the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group (MTXG)" 672:"Formal renaming and registration of @RFAStrlngCastle has been completed. She will receive the pennant number M01 but remain painted blue & white as a trials platform" 603: 715: 1325: 1110: 1224: 1084: 1281: 1252:"@NavyLookout.@RFAStrlngCastle formally welcomed into RFA service at service of dedication held in Leith today in the presence of HRH Prince Edward" 855: 796: 1040: 453:, or new purpose-built ships, as reportedly preferred by the navy. These vessels will fill a gap left as a result of the retirement of the 881: 553:
in February 2023 to be converted into a platform for mine countermeasure operations, to be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and have
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In July 2023, the ship conducted its first trials with three of the Navy's autonomous vessels: Royal Navy motor boats
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operated by Island Offshore. The vessel was sold to the Ministry of Defence in January 2023 for £40 million.
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is one of two new commercial vessels acquired for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2023, the other being
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Owing to the UK's government's growing concern about protecting subsea infrastructure, and the 2022
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was deployed includes supporting and accommodating workers on the construction of the
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Mine Countermeasures Maritime Autonomous Systems ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
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were to support subsea and offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy operations.
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M01. Initial conversion for naval service was conducted at HMNB Devonport in
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This article about a specific naval ship or boat of the United Kingdom is a
272: 1510: 1085:"UK Royal Navy's Future MCM Mothership "Stirling Castle" Begins Sea Trials" 425:
that are to operate from a larger mother ship. The ship was formerly named
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for Island Offshore from March 2013 until July 2017 under the flag of the
1574: 1067:"Up close with RFA Stirling Castle – first of the navy's new motherships" 934:"Up close with RFA Stirling Castle – first of the navy's new motherships" 505: 501: 443: 313: 121: 90: 856:"New autonomous £40m mine-hunting mothership arrives at HMNB Devonport" 454: 238: 214: 38: 497: 108: 232: 558: 1267: 1210: 1179: 687: 509: 485: 125: 908:"The Royal Navy wants three new-build mine hunting motherships" 493: 103: 492:. From July 2017 until March 2023 it sailed under the flag of 379:
3 × Kongsberg bow thrusters (3 × 1,882 kW, 2,524 hp)
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C25:33L-6 diesel engines (4 × 2,000 kW, 2,700 hp)
47: 960:"Why has the Royal Navy decommissioned 6 ships in a year?" 740:"Why has the Royal Navy decommissioned 6 ships in a year?" 296:
Mine Countermeasures Maritime Autonomous Systems (MCM MAS)
1012:"Island Crown to support construction at East Anglia ONE" 604:
List of miscellaneous ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
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Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy
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The ship operated as the offshore support vessel MV
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azimuth thrusters (2 × 3,500 kW, 4,700 hp)
1041:"New UK mine-hunting vessel gets her official name" 1035: 1033: 590:, the ship formally entered service with the RFA. 701: 660: 1669: 1030: 820: 818: 417:. Acquired in 2023, the ship entered drydock at 850: 848: 846: 637: 635: 633: 631: 629: 627: 625: 623: 621: 619: 1652: 1319: 1004: 815: 797:"PSV becomes subsea and accommodation vessel" 734: 732: 843: 616: 527:offshore wind farm near the United Kingdom. 421:for modification into a trials platform for 1249: 1192: 1161: 791: 789: 669: 1659: 1645: 1326: 1312: 978: 763: 761: 729: 1364: 1494: 786: 758: 1670: 530: 1307: 159: 1615: 1342:Current Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships 1137:"The Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2023" 339:96.8 m (317 ft 7 in) 13: 1683:Ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary 1436: 472: 347:20.0 m (65 ft 7 in) 14: 1699: 355:6.0 m (19 ft 8 in) 1619: 1345: 1335: 1193:@NavyLookout (28 January 2024). 588:Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh 512:the primary capabilities of the 271: 161: 102: 89: 37: 1688:United Kingdom naval ship stubs 1274: 1243: 1217: 1186: 1155: 1129: 1103: 1077: 1059: 952: 926: 900: 561:, UK. The primary focus of the 1250:@NavyLookout (11 April 2024). 694: 670:@NavyLookout (23 April 2023). 423:autonomous minehunting systems 1: 1162:@NavyLookout (2 March 2024). 609: 1631:. 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Index

HMS Stirling Castle

Oslo
The Bahamas
Nassau
Norway
Ålesund
Vard Brăila
Romania
Ministry of Defence
Stirling Castle
HMNB Clyde
Pennant number
Call Sign
IMO number
9630535
MMSI number
232047057

GT
NT
DWT
Bergen Engines
Kongsberg
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Ministry of Defence
HMNB Devonport
autonomous minehunting systems
offshore supply vessel
RFA Proteus

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