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Friday 15 October 2010

Leith 15th October 2010

Todays arrival was the Norwegian submarine ULA.  She arrived 90 minuites early and came as quite a surprise when I got there!

The Ula class is a Norwegian submarine type which was assembled in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The class, consisting of 6 vessels, is currently the only submarine type in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy.

The ordering of a new Norwegian submersible design stemmed from a 1972 decision to modernize the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) submarine flotilla, which then consisted of the aging Kobben class submarines.
The construction of the vessels was an international project. The combat systems were made in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar is German and the flank sonars French. The hull sections were produced in Norway, and then assembled in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke, Emden. In Germany, the design is known as the U-Boot-Klasse 210.

When commissioned Ulas were the first Norwegian submarines with bedding for the entire crew and a shower.


The Ula class submarines are among the most silent and maneuverable submarines in the world. This, in combination with the relatively small size, makes them difficult to detect from surface vessels and ideal for operations in coastal areas. The Ula class submarines are regarded as both the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the RNoN.

Missions 

In recent years, several submarines of the Ula class have been deployed in the Mediterranean Sea in support of the NATO Operation Active Endeavour, where their intelligence gathering ability have surpassed expectations. Their operational availability proved to be the highest of all the ships taking part in the operation. However, this deployment has highlighted the need to make the Ula class submarines better able to keep temperatures from getting too high for the crew when operating in warm waters. As a response to this, the KNM Ula have now been "tropicalized" by installing new cooling systems, and two more of the class are due for "tropicalization".

Future plans

During the period 2006-2008, the Ula class were modernised. Most notably, the submarines got new communication equipment, new electronic warfare support measures and a periscope upgrade.  In May 2008, the contract for new sonars was signed. The first submarine will have new sonar in 2011, and the last in 2015. The Ula class will probably be kept in service until 2020.

Vessels

Six submarines were delivered (1989-1992) to the RNoN. All of them have their home base at Haakonsvern in Bergen. The boats are all named after places in Norway, with the exception of the S305, Uredd, which literally translates to "unafraid" or "unfearing." The ship prefix for Norwegian vessels is KNM (Kongelig Norsk Marine, Royal Norwegian Navy) in Norwegian.


Name Pen No Commissioned
ULA   S300       1989
UTSIRA   S301       1992
UTSTEIN   S302       1991
UTVÆR   S303       1990
UTHAUG   S304       1991
UREDD   S305       1990

She is seen here approaching Leith in high winds, the escorting tug is Seal Carr
































A close up up of the conning tower

















Almost in the lock

















Finally in the lock


Thursday 14 October 2010

Leith 9th October 2010

6 Naval visitors arrived on Saturday 9th October for the weekend.

On a very, very cold misty Saturday morning (07:30am).  The first vessel arrived, she was the Belgian command and logistical support ship BNS Godetia (A960).   The Godetia has three missions: fishery protection, acting as a support and supply ship for minesweepers, and acting as a command ship for mine countermeasure operations.

She is seen here approaching the lock gates



























In the locks


















Next came the Dutch Alkmaar class minehunter HrMs Haarlem (M853).  Haarlem is one of many Triparte class minehunters.  

She is seen here approaching the locks with BNS Aster (M915) and sister Hellevoetsluis behind.
















 


















In the lock behing BNS Godeita (A960).

























Next up was HrMs Middleburg (M858), seen here arriving Leith with sisters Hellevoetsluis (M859) and Vlaardingen (M863) behind.

















HrMs Middleburg (M858), seen here arriving Leith on the left behind is BNS Aster (M915) and to the right her sisters Hellevoetsluis (M859) and Vlaardingen (M863) behind.

















Almost in the lock.

























The fourth ship (and the third Triparte minehunter) to arrive was the Belgian vessel BNS Aster (M915).



























Seen here being escorted by the Forth Ports tug Seal Carr

















The penultimate ship was the Dutch Hellevoetsluis (M859).


















Last but not least was the Dutch vessel Vlaardingen (M863).












































 Seen here being escorted by the Forth Ports tug Seal Carr
















And finally after over an hour of waiting the last ship enters the lock
















The two escorting Forth Ports tugs were Seal Carr and Beamer