HMS Ocean (L12)

The sixth HMS Ocean (L12) of the Royal Navy is a Landing Platform, Helicopter carrier, the only one in its class. It was built during the early part of the 1990s by Kvaerner Govan on the Clyde, taking advantage of commercial build methods and facilities, before sailing from Barrow-in-Furness for fitting out prior to acceptance into service with the Royal Navy. She is based on the Invincible class aircraft carrier design, but due to the commercial build used, the construction cost of £154 million is comparable to that of a Type 23 frigate.

Related Topics:
Royal Navy - Landing Platform, Helicopter - Kvaerner Govan - Clyde - Barrow-in-Furness - Invincible class - Type 23 frigate

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She was launched on October 11, 1995, and named by Her Majesty the Queen on February 20, 1998, at the yard of the prime contractor Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd, prior to the delivery voyage to her base port of Devonport, Devon.

Related Topics:
Launched - October 11 - 1995 - Her Majesty the Queen - February 20 - 1998 - Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd - Devonport, Devon

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She was commissioned on September 30, 1998, and completed her trials programme and initial Basic Operational Sea Training in the spring of 1999. While Ocean was undertaking first-of-class trials, she was called to Honduras to give humanitarian assistance following a hurricane.

Related Topics:
Commissioned - September 30 - 1998 - 1999 - Honduras - Hurricane

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Ocean was designed to provide the amphibious assault capabilities last offered by HMS Albion and Bulwark, carrying an Embarked Military Force (EMF) supported by 12 medium support helicopters, six attack helicopters, and four Mk5 landing craft. Her secondary roles included afloat training, limited anti-submarine warfare, and providing a base for anti-terrorist operations.

Related Topics:
HMS ''Albion'' - ''Bulwark'' - Embarked Military Force - Helicopter - Landing craft

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Prior to Ocean's availability, the Invincible-class aircraft carriers had been required to support the helicopter-assault mission. Ocean freed them to concentrate on the role for which they were designed. During 2002, the ship played a major role in suppressing rebel activity in Sierra Leone, acting as a base for Boeing CH-47 Chinooks of the RAF.

Related Topics:
''Invincible''-class aircraft carriers - Sierra Leone - Chinook - RAF

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Ocean was part of a large Royal Navy taskforce deployed for Operation Telic, the UK contribution to the 2003 Iraq War. In the helicopter assault role she was accompanied by HMS Ark Royal.

Related Topics:
Operation Telic - 2003 Iraq War - HMS ''Ark Royal''

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During the summer of 2004, trials were conducted operating an Apache AH Mk 1 from Ocean, to enable the Army's new attack helicopter to eventually operate afloat.

Related Topics:
2004 - Apache AH Mk 1

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HMS Ocean is the adopted ship of the City of Sunderland.

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See HMS Ocean for other Navy ships of the same name.

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