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HMS Enterprise, the newest ship of the two SVHO ‘Echo’ class survey vessels, was launched in Devon by her sponsor, Lady Sally Forbes, on 27 April 2002. Truly a local ship; she was built by Vosper Thornycroft at the Appledore Shipyard in North Devon.
After her commission in the Autumn of 2003, and an ensuing period of intense training for her Ship’s Company, Enterprise embarked on her first operational overseas deployment to the Mediterranean in October 2004, returning to Devonport in April 2005. During that deployment, all personnel worked hard to exercise her versatility, by combining both an Oceanographic and Hydrographic survey with a NATO organised exercise.
Enterprise sailed again in September 2005 to conduct a comprehensive Oceanographic survey in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin as well as a collaborative Hydrographic survey with the Saudi Military off the coast of Saudi Arabia, in support of UK government foreign policy.
HMS Enterprise has recently returned from a 19 month deployment where she visited West Africa, conducting oceanographic work, South Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf. During her period in the Arabian Gulf she worked off the coast of Iraq in support of the Iraqi government and UK government foreign policy. She is currently working in the United Kingdom and following a period of Operational Sea Training will deploy once more in April.
HMS Enterprise represents a major improvement to the Royal Navy’s surveying and general environmental data gathering ability. She is able to collect information on all aspects of the environment (from the seabed to the upper atmosphere), process and send this information to Warfare Commanders in real time. This information allows the Navy to use weapons systems to the best advantage, therefore enhancing war-fighting ability.
Both Enterprise and Echo were ordered under an innovative contractor logistic support scheme which means that VT will be responsible for the ship’s upkeep throughout its intended 25 year life.
The ship’s motto is ‘Spes aspera levat’: Hope lightens difficulties.
HMS Enterprise’s affiliated town is Tiverton in Devon.
