 HMS ''Roebuck'' at HMNB Devonport Navy Days, Saturday August 26th 2006. |
| Career |  RN Ensign |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | |
| Laid down: | |
| Launched: | 14 November 1985 |
| Commissioned: | 3 October 1986 |
| Decommissioned: | |
| Fate: | |
| Struck: | |
| General Characteristics |
|---|
| Displacement: | 1,477 tonnes |
| Length: | 64m |
| Beam: | 13m |
| Draught: | 4m |
| Propulsion: | Four Mirrlees Blackstone ES8 supercharged diesel engines, driving twin Controllable Pitch Propellers via two gearboxes. |
| Speed: | 15 kt |
| Range: | |
| Complement: | 52 |
| Armament: | 20mm Bmark gun, Mini-Guns & GPMGs |
'HMS ''Roebuck'' (H130)' is a coastal survey vessel of the
Royal Navy (RN). She was commissioned in 1986, and was the last traditional survey ship to join the fleet. Although nominally used for surveying along the
United Kingdom continental shelf, with the downsizing of the survey fleet, ''Roebuck'' has been enhanced to enable her to operate overseas. She is fitted with a full suite of
hydrographic sensors, and a Survey Motor Boat for inshore work. In addition, as with the other vessels of the survey squadron, she can also operate as a support ship for
mine warfare vessels. ''Roebuck'' was due to be decommissioned in 2003 following the entry into service of the
''Echo'' class. However, the decision has since been taken to keep the ship in service until 2014.
''Roebuck'' was the first RN ship into
Umm Qasr following the
second Gulf War. The work she carried out prior to, and during, the war proved invaluable, allowing
coalition ships to operate closer to shore than previously thought possible, and reducing helicopter flying time by ten minutes per sortie during the landings. ''Roebuck'' completed a Ship Life Extension Period (refit) towards the end of
2005, and then deployed to the Mediterranean, returning to the UK in April 2006. Roebuck then deployed to East Africa in June
2006, returning on Monday 21st August.
Upon arrival in August, the crew had barely a few hours notice before the ship was placed on display at
HMNB Devonport Navy Days 2006 as the representative of the
Hydrographic Squadron after
HMS Enterprise (H88) could not attend.
''Roebuck'' has the distinction of holding more battle honours than any other ship in the RN, and more ships have been called ''Roebuck'' than any other name in RN history.