Navy frigate prepared for transfer to Romania

Electrical systems testing and repairs completed for the regeneration of the Regina Maria, the second of two Royal Navy Type 22 frigates for the Romanian Navy.

Wyko Marine has completed electrical systems testing and repairs for the regeneration of the Regina Maria, the second of two Royal Navy Type 22 frigates for the Romanian Navy.

The completion of the modernisation and regeneration project concludes a contract negotiated between BAe Systems and the MoD's Defence Logistics Organisation that totalled £116 million.

The Regele Ferdinand (formerly the HMS Coventry) was the first of the Type 22 frigates regenerated in the project and delivered to the Romanian Navy in September last year.

The Regina Maria (formerly the HMS London) entered service in 1987 as the fourth stretched or batch two design Type 22 frigates commissioned by the Navy.

In her former life, the Regina Maria was primarily used for anti-submarine operations, fitted with Exocet missile launchers alongside computer assisted sonar systems and communications equipment.

A large portion of these missile and communications systems was removed during the regeneration process at the Naval Dockyard at Portsmouth, while the normal operational systems were upgraded or repaired.

BAe Systems was awarded the contract in 2003 by the MoD to prepare both ships for delivery to the Romanian Navy in 2005, a deal worth £116 million and involving the coordination of a number of specialist suppliers and subcontractors.

Wyko worked for the largest subcontractor involved in the project - Fleet Support - and in the later stages of the project Wyko staff worked with members of the Romanian Navy.

"Each of the two frigates took just over a year to regenerate, during which time we had up to six of our engineers on board the vessels," said Jim Rive, Branch Manager at Wyko Southampton.

"Wyko was chosen by Fleet Support because of our experience, cost minimising staff flexibility and ability to provide a comprehensive electrical system testing service as well as carrying out a wide range of repairs on board the frigates".

The work carried by Wyko included the overhauling of various fan units, motors from 1.1 to 60kW, plus one of the main 1MW generators, this work being carried out at the workshop in Southampton.

"When the fan units were fitted back into the ship, our staff on board put them to work, testing the starters and repairing any faults found," said Rive.

Other equipment tested and repaired included battery chargers, transformers, changeover switches, thermistors, heaters, emergency supply system, breakers and switchboards.

"We reported all defects found, repairing and retesting to make sure they were functioning reliably in time for the changeover earlier this year, with our engineers even climbing the main mast to repair the wiring on one of the ships' fog horns," he said.

With all ships, avoiding systems failures while at sea and the ensuing unplanned downtime is essential, however with military vessels reliability and seaworthiness are even more critical.

Not only was this a large contract for all the companies involved, but it also crossed national boundaries and has shown that Wyko can work within the most diverse teams, even those that involve cultural and language barriers.

Back to top