HMS Ocean (L12) 1

HMS Ocean (L12)

HMS Ocean during Operation Ellamy and the 2011 military intervention in Libya.

Career (UK)

Name: HMS Ocean

Operator: Royal Navy

Ordered: 11 May 1993

Builder: Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd, Kværner (Govan)

Laid down: 30 May 1994

Launched: 11 October 1995

Sponsored by: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Commissioned: 30 September 1998

Homeport: HMNB Devonport, Plymouth

Motto: "Boldly Faithfully Happily"

Nickname: "The Mighty O"

Honours andawards:

Al Faw 2003

Status: In active service as of 2013.

Badge:

General characteristicsClass & type: Amphibious assault ship

Displacement: 21,500 t (21,200 long tons; 23,700 short tons)[1]

Length: 203.4 m (667 ft)[2]

Beam: 35 m (115 ft)[2]

Draught: 6.5 m (21 ft)[2]

Propulsion: • Two Crossley Pielstick diesel engines• One Kamewa bow thruster (Currently removed)

Speed: 15 knots (28 km/h) cruise18 knots (33 km/h) max[]

HMS Ocean (L12) 2

Range: 8,000 miles

Boats & landingcraft carried:

• 4 × LCVPs

Capacity: 40 vehicles[2]

Troops: 830 Royal Marines[2]

Crew: 285 + 180 FAA/RAF[2]

Sensors andprocessing systems:

•• Radar 996•• Radar 1007

Electronic warfare& decoys:

UAT Electronic Support Measures

Armament: • 3 × Phalanx CIWS• 4 × 20 mm guns[2]

• 4 × General purpose machine guns

Aircraft carried: Up-to 18 helicopters:•• Westland Sea King•• Westland Lynx•• Merlin•• Boeing Chinook•• Westland Apache

Aviation facilities: •• Large flight deck•• Hangar deck•• Helicopter lifts

HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy is an amphibious assault ship (or landing platform helicopter) and is the solemember of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff ofCommander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force. She was constructed in the mid-1990s byKvaerner Govan Ltd on the Clyde and fitted out by VSEL at Barrow-in-Furness prior to first of class trials andsubsequent acceptance in service. She was commissioned in September 1998 at her home port HMNB Devonport,Plymouth.

BackgroundAn invitation to tender for a new helicopter carrier was issued in February 1992.[3] In February 1993 The Timesreported that the carrier faced cancellation due to budgetary constraints.[4] However, at approximately the same time,British forces were engaged in operations in the Balkans, which saw the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's aviation trainingship RFA Argus pressed into service as an Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH). Argus proved totally unsuitable interms of accommodation and facilities needed for a large Embarked Military Force (EMF), which emphasised theneed for a purpose built platform.[] On 29 March 1993 the defence procurement minister announced thatdevelopment of the new LPH was proceeding.[5] Two shipbuilders competed for the contract - Vickers Shipbuildingand Engineering Ltd (VSEL) and Swan Hunter. On 11 May 1993 the government announced VSEL had won thecontract.[] The build was to commercial standards, reducing costs significantly and leading to a construction spend of£154 million (£266 million as of 2013),[6], comparable to that of a Type 23 frigate. VSEL, a warship manufacturer,sub-contracted the build phase to the commercial Kværner yard in Govan, Glasgow.The fact that VSEL's bid was £71 million lower than Swan Hunter's was the source of political controversy and led to a National Audit Office investigation to determine whether the competition was fair. The report, published on 29 July 1993, stated that although VSEL did subsidise its bid the MoD was right to award the contract to VSEL because the subsidy was much smaller than the difference between the two bids; VSEL's bid was £139.5 million compared to

HMS Ocean (L12) 3

Swan Hunter's £210.6 million. The Times also suggested that the subsidy was as little as £10 million.[7] Inanticipation of the report the Financial Times described the different philosophies adopted by the two bidders; WhileSwan Hunter viewed the ships as entirely military, "VSEL thought the design was basically a merchant ship withmilitary hardware bolted on." VSEL's decision to sub-contract the build phase took advantage of lower overheads ata civilian yard as well as efficiency drives by its parent, Kværner.[8] The cut-price build to commercial standardsmeans that Ocean has a projected operational life of just 20 years,[] significantly less than that of other warships.Launched on 11 October 1995, she was subsequently named at Barrow by Her Majesty the Queen on 20 February1998, prior to delivery to Devonport. In her sea trial she managed to reach a top speed of 20.6 knots (38.2 km/h;23.7 mph), however her usual top speed is 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) now totally fitted out and with the addition ofnew equipment.[9]

RoleOcean was designed to provide the amphibious assault capabilities last offered by Albion and Bulwark whilst in theCommando role. She can deploy an Embarked Military Force (EMF) of a Royal Marines Commando Group from 3Commando Brigade supported by aviation and landing craft assets. The ships company includes 9 Assault Squadronfrom 1 Assault Group Royal Marines. HMS Ocean is also capable of limited anti-submarine warfare activities,supporting afloat training and acting as a base facility for other embarked forces including counter-terrorism units.The air group of up to 6 Sea King HC4 medium-lift helicopters, six Lynx AH7 light-lift/anti-tank helicopters areprovided by the Commando Helicopter Force, 4-6 Apache AH1 operated by the Army Air Corps and helicopters ofthe Royal Air Force including the Chinook. Prior to their retirement, Ocean could transport up to 15 fixed wingHarrier[10] aircraft of Joint Force Harrier in the ferry role, but was unable to operate as a fixed wing aircraft carrierdue to her lack of the 'ski jump' that is needed to launch a fully loaded Harrier.For the 2012 London Olympics she carried an air arm of eight Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm Super Lynxhelicopters, four from each service, to deploy special forces and conduct other missions in relation to her securityrole.[11]

4 Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel (LCVPs) are permanently embarked and manned by 9 Assault SquadronRoyal Marines.[12]

Operational history

US Marines ride the forward aircraftlift into Ocean's hangar deck during

an exercise in 1999.

Just weeks after being commissioned, Ocean was undertaking the warm waterelement of her first-of-class trials when she was deployed on short notice to thecoasts of Honduras and Nicaragua to provide humanitarian assistance in theaftermath of Hurricane Mitch.[13] In early 1999 Ocean was scheduled to take partin an exercise in the Atlantic but was diverted to the Mediterranean in readinessfor possible deployment to Kosovo.[14]

During 2000 Ocean supported Operation Palliser in Sierra Leone, joiningIllustrious aiding the suppression of rebel activity with her own EMF andproviding support facilities for the Spearhead battalion ashore.[15]

On 17 February 2002, a unit of Royal Marines from Ocean accidentally landed inthe San Felipe beach in the Spanish town of La Linea instead of Gibraltarcausing a minor diplomatic incident as various media outlets labelled the mistakeas an "invasion".[16]

HMS Ocean (L12) 4

Ocean was part of a large Royal Navy task force deployed for Operation Telic, the UK contribution to the 2003 IraqWar, for which she was awarded a new battle honour "Al Faw 2003".[17] In the helicopter assault role she wasaccompanied by Ark Royal.

HMS Ocean showing landing craft on davits and stern rampdeployed

In the summer of 2006, she was deployed as part of the taskforce involved in the Aurora exercises on the eastern seaboardof the United States.In 2007, Ocean began her first long refit period. This wascarried out by Devonport Management Limited at theirDevonport Royal Dockyard facility and lasted around twelvemonths, during which period, Ark Royal took over the LPHrole. Ocean sailed from Plymouth on Wednesday 24September 2008 to start sea trials, following this major period of maintenance and upgrading work.[18] As part ofthat upgrade a PyTEC pyrolysising waste recycling unit was fitted.[19]

On 18 February 2009, Ocean sailed from Devonport as part of the Taurus 09 deployment under Commander UKAmphibious Task Group, Commodore Peter Hudson. She was joined on this deployment by landing platform dockBulwark, as Hudson's flagship, Type 23 Frigates Argyll and Somerset and four ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.[20]

This exercise was filmed for the second series of the Channel 5 documentary Warship.In June 2009, she took part in exercise Bersama Shield with Somerset and RFA Wave Ruler off the MalayPeninsula.[21]

During the air travel disruption after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption Prime Minister Gordon Brown assignedOcean and other units to rescue stranded travellers and army personnel across the English Channel in OperationCunningham.[22]

In 2010 she was deployed on a multi-purpose deployment. This started with exercise Auriga on the eastern coast ofthe USA.[23] She then moved to Brazil to conduct exercise with the Brazilian marines, whilst there a defencecooperation agreement was signed on board.[24] She then crossed the Atlantic heading for Nigeria to both participatein the Nigeria at 50 presidential fleet review and capacity building with the Nigerian navy as part of the Africanpartnership programme.[25][26] She returned to Devonport in November.[27]

In April 2011, She was deployed as the follow on ship for the RN's Response Force Task Group (RFTG) COUGAR11 deployment. During this deployment, she took part part in Exercise Cypriot Lion[28][29]

In May 2011, she was detached from the COUGAR 11 deployment of the Response Force Task Group and sent withembarked Apaches to aid operations in Libya along with the attack helicopters aboard the French amphibious assaultship Tonnerre.[30][31][32] This marks the first time Apache helicopters have been sent into action from a Royal Navyship.[33] Her initial complement of three Apaches was bolstered by a fourth soon after,[34] and later a fifth.[35]

On 4 May 2012 she moored at Greenwich to prepare for her role of providing logistics support, accommodation anda helicopter landing site during the London 2012 Olympic Games.[36] From the 24 to 28 May 2012 she visitedSunderland, her affiliated port, and made other port calls[37] before returning to London on the 13th July.[38] AfterOlympic duty, Ocean returned to her home port of HMNB Devonport for a scheduled period of maintenance.[39] TheLPH role is now provided by HMS Illustrious until 2014.

HMS Ocean (L12) 5

Commanding Officers

HMS Ocean deployed for the Olympic Games.

HMS Ocean (centre right) in a five-countrymultinational fleet, during Operation Enduring

Freedom in the Oman Sea.

•• 1997-1999: Captain Robert Turner RN•• 1999-2001: Captain Scott Lidbetter RN• 2001-2003: Captain Adrian Johns RN• 2003-2004: Captain Christopher Clayton RN• 2004-2005: Captain Anthony Johnstone-Burt RN•• 2005-2006: Captain Christopher Snow RN•• 2006-2008: Captain Russell Harding RN•• 2008-2010: Captain Simon Kings RN•• 2010-2011: Captain Keith Blount RN•• 2011-2013: Captain Andrew Betton RN•• 2013-Present: Commander Paul Pitcher RN

Affiliations

•• Coldstream Guards•• No. 30 Squadron RAF• 656 Squadron, Army Air Corps• 657 Squadron, Army Air Corps•• Worshipful Company of Farriers•• City of Sunderland•• Bedford Modern School CCF

Notes and references[2] The Royal Navy Handbook, 2003, Ministry of Defence, page 92[6] UK CPI inflation numbers based on data available from Gregory Clark (2013), " What Were the British Earnings and Prices Then? (New

Series) (http:/ / www. measuringworth. org/ ukearncpi/ )" MeasuringWorth.[10] BBC News 30th September 1998, http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 1/ hi/ uk/ 183577. stm[12] http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ operations-and-support/ surface-fleet/ assault-ships/ hms-ocean/ ship-s-departments/

9-assault-squadron-rm/[18] (http:/ / www. mod. uk/ DefenceInternet/ DefenceNews/ EquipmentAndLogistics/ OceanBackAtSeaAfter30mRefit. htm)[20] Royal Navy Website, (http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ server/ show/ nav. 7202)[21] (http:/ / www. navynews. co. uk/ news/ 445-task-force-raises-its-shield. aspx)[23] http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ operations-and-support/ surface-fleet/ assault-ships/ hms-ocean/ news/

hms-ocean-heads-across-the-pond-as-part-of-the-auriga-task-group[24] http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ operations-and-support/ surface-fleet/ assault-ships/ hms-ocean/ news/

hms-ocean-departs-rio-de-janeiro-after-successful-diplomatic-visit[25] http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ operations-and-support/ surface-fleet/ assault-ships/ hms-ocean/ news/

capacity-building-with-the-nigerian-navy[26] (http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ jackspeak/ wp-content/ uploads/ 2010/ 09/ HMS-Ocean-during-the-Nigerian-Fleet-Review2. jpg)[28] http:/ / www. royal-navy. mod. uk/ operations-and-support/ operations/ auriga/ news/ royal_navy_ships_sai. htm[29] http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ operations-and-support/ operations/ auriga/ news/ royal_navy_task_grou. htm[33] (http:/ / www. navynews. co. uk/ news/ 1213-ocean-and-her-gunships-dispatched-to-libya. aspx)

HMS Ocean (L12) 6

External links• HMS Ocean (http:/ / www. royalnavy. mod. uk/ operations-and-support/ surface-fleet/ assault-ships/ hms-ocean/ )

at the Royal Navy site• HMS Ocean (http:/ / www. naval-technology. com/ projects/ ocean/ ) at the naval-technology.com site• HMS Ocean (http:/ / www. navynews. co. uk/ ships/ ocean. asp) at the Navynews.co.uk site• HMS Ocean (http:/ / navy-matters. beedall. com/ ocean. htm), Navy Matters• BBC News - Fact File: HMS Ocean (http:/ / news. bbc. co. uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ politics/ 2634435. stm)

Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and ContributorsHMS Ocean (L12)  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=570242969  Contributors: (, ALR, Acsian88, Ahoerstemeier, Akradecki, Alexmb, Andrewdeacon51, Andrwsc,Antarctic-adventurer, Antiochus the Great, Ashley Pomeroy, BD2412, Barticus88, Beetstra, Bellhalla, Benea, Betacommand, BilCat, Blackshod, Bobbis, Brookesward, Brookie, Bryan Derksen,Buckshot06, Canterbury Tail, CarolGray, Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry, Chris the speller, Chrislk02, Chuq, Chwyatt, Crystallina, Dana boomer, David Newton, David Underdown, Dawkeye,Dpaajones, DuncanHill, Emoscopes, Epbr123, Evanh2008, FerdinandFrog, Fififolle, Finlay McWalter, Foxhound66, Friedfish, Ftbhrygvn, GraemeLeggett, Gulbenk, H1523702, HJ32, HLGallon,Halibutt, Hammersfan, Haus, Hcobb, Helland, Henry.pearson, Hohum, InspectorSands, Intrepid11, Jhbuk, JoeSperrazza, JonEastham, Katherine Shaw, Keith Edkins, Kernel Saunters, Khazar2,King nothing, Kitchen Knife, Kralizec!, LWF, LeedsKing, Letdorf, Lightmouse, Lngi1994, MBK004, MDDCXA, MIDCC015, Mark83, Mathonius, Maximus Rex, Miyagawa, Mjb1981,Morton7931, MrGRA, Msa1701, Navops47, Neddyseagoon, Neilwightman, Nick Thorne, Nick-D, ObscureReality, Olegwiki, Onebravemonkey, Onepebble, Paste, Phd8511, Quadell, RSM,Rademire, Rama, Rettetast, Richmd, Rillian, Rockybiggs, Rwendland, Ryan4314, Salavat, Sandstein, Sc147, Shem1805, Sierra-Alfa-Mike, Sizuru, Skyring, SoLando, Stan Shebs, Steel city ady,Stephen Fulcher, Straxus, Stuart Cameron, SuperJumbo, TSP, TangoSixZero, Tashtastic, ThreeBlindMice, Tim!, Toddy1, Tupsumato, Ussing, Vyom25, Willrocks10, ²¹², 123 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsFile:Apache Helicopter Takes off from HMS Ocean During Operation Ellamy MOD 45153052.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Apache_Helicopter_Takes_off_from_HMS_Ocean_During_Operation_Ellamy_MOD_45153052.jpg  License: unknown  Contributors:AdamBMorgan, Andrew Gray, Danrok, Fæ, TmFile:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Naval_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors:AnonMoos, Avicennasis, Bender235, Cycn, Dancingwombatsrule, Ec.Domnowall, Fry1989, Homo lupus, Pumbaa80, Stunteltje, Xiengyod, Yaddah, 3 anonymous editsFile:HMS Ocean DM-SD-02-07813.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:HMS_Ocean_DM-SD-02-07813.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: CPL JIMMIEPERKINS, USMCFile:HMS Ocean IFOS2005, cropped.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:HMS_Ocean_IFOS2005,_cropped.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors: HMS_Ocean_IFOS2005.JPG: User:Sharkbait784 derivative work: Rwendland (talk)File:HMS Ocean, moored in Greenwich, London for the 2012 Olympic games.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:HMS_Ocean,_moored_in_Greenwich,_London_for_the_2012_Olympic_games.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: User:OttakyFile:Fleet 5 nations.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Fleet_5_nations.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: U.S. Navy/PH3 Alta I. Cutler

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