RN Assault Ship Leaves Barrow

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HMS Bulwark, the second of a new class of assault ship for the Royal Navy, will be leaving Barrow ahead of schedule on 31st May 2004 for Sea Trials.

Bulwark will leave the shipyard on Sunday, where she will moor in Ramsden Dock Basin overnight, prior to departure for sea trials in the Irish Sea.

The LPD team has made a tremendous effort, in order to accelerate the delivery date of this revised programme from August 23rd to the envisaged date of 19th July. Not only will the ship be delivered early, but also with a clean bill of health, with regard to outstanding works and defect clearance. The personnel involved, directly onboard and also those in supporting positions within the company have continually exceeded all expectations in terms of standards of workmanship, volumes of inspections and behaviours.

Murray Easton, Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, said: “ The team building Bulwark have demonstrated a tremendous improvement in attitude and performance in recent months and ensured that this fine ship will be without doubt one of the best ever delivered from the shipyard. The workforce can, and should be, justifiably proud of Bulwark – it is the best advert for more work I can imagine”.

Bulwark and her sister ship, Albion, are known as Landing Platform Docks (LPD’s). They are designed to transport an embarked military force of around 300 people, plus their equipment, vehicles, and stores, across open oceans and land them on hostile shores using landing craft and helicopters. They can also co-ordinate amphibious operations through their integrated command, control, and communication systems.

Bulwark is due to arrive in Birkenhead on the 5th June 2004 to complete underwater painting, and any defect rectification.

Minister for Defence Procurement Lord Bach said: “ I should like to offer my congratulations to all those involved with this project, particularly the workforce at Barrow. They have put in a tremendous amount of hard work to reach this significant stage.

“When she enters service HMS Bulwark will join her sister ship, HMS Albion, in support to our troops as they act as a force for good all over the world, and will ensure the Royal Navy remains at the cutting edge of amphibious capability for many years to come.”

Source: Modoracle