NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Helmsdale 1988 Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Waveney	M2003	562	Richards SB, Lowestoft	21.2.1983	8.9.1983	29.9.1984	to Bangladesh 10.1994 (শাপলা [Shapla])
Carron	M2004		Richards SB, Great Yarmouth	21.2.1983	23.9.1983	29.9.1984	to Bangladesh 101994 (সৈকত [Shaikat])
Dovey	M2005		Richards SB, Great Yarmouth	3.3.1983	1.12.1983	30.3.1985	to Bangladesh 10.1994 (সুরভী [Surovi])
Helford	M2006		Richards SB, Great Yarmouth	12.10.1983	16.5.1984	5.1985	to Bangladesh 10.1994 (শৈবাল [Shaibal])
Humber	M2007	564	Richards SB, Great Yarmouth	21.10.1983	17.5.1984	7.6.1985	to Brazil 2.1995 (Amorim do Valle)
Blackwater	M2008	565	Richards SB, Great Yarmouth	16.1.1984	29.8.1984	20.6.1985	to Brazil 7.1998 (Melo Baptista)
Itchen	M2009	566	Richards SB, Lowestoft	26.3.1984	16.11.1984	12.10.1985	to Brazil 4.1998 (Jorge Leite)
Helmsdale	M2010	567	Richards SB, Lowestoft	21.5.1984	11.1.1985	1.3.1986	to Brazil 2.1995 (Garnier Sampaio)
Orwell	M2011	568	Richards SB, Great Yarmouth	4.6.1984	7.2.1985	22.3.1986	retired 7.2000, to Guyana (Essequibo)
Ribble	M2012	569	Richards SB, Great Yarmouth	17.9.1984	7.5.1985	28.6.1986	to Brazil 2.1995 (Jorge Leite)
Spey	M2013	570	Richards SB, Lowestoft	12.11.1984	22.5.1985	19.7.1986	to Brazil 7.1998 (Andromeda)
Arun	M2014	571	Richards SB, Lowestoft	4.2.1985	20.8.1985	29.8.1986	to Brazil 9.1998 (Babitonga)

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	770
Displacement full, t	890
Length, m	42.0 pp 47.6 oa
Breadth, m	10.5
Draught, m	3.10 hull 3.75 max
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 Ruston 6RKCM diesels
Power, h. p.	3040
Max speed, kts	14
Fuel, t	diesel oil 88
Endurance, nm(kts)	4500(10)
Armament	1 x 1 - 40/60 Mk 9, 2 x 1 - 7.6/90, Mk 9 Team Sweep System mechanical minesweeping gear
Electronic equipment	2x Decca 1226 radars
Complement	30

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

In 1980 it was hoped to order twelve EDATS minesweepers at a cost of £2.4m each. The options were a Navy-designed hull or an adapted commercial design such as a stern trawler. Hall Russell, for example, submitted a derivative of their torpedo recovery vessel, but finally Richards' adapted oil-rig support vessel proposal was accepted.

Plans to order three more for the Fishery Protection Squadron were deferred indefinitely in 1991. Originally to be The Amethyst class, with names of precious stones.

Modernizations

1994-1995, Blackwater, Itchen, Orwell, Spey, Arun: - minesweeping gear (as patrol ships)

Naval service

No significant events.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.