Last checked at 17 Dec 2008 09:00
17 December 2008
SINGAPOREAN RESCUE SUBMERSIBLE TO BE NAMED AT MIDDAY
James Fisher Defence ("JFD") will today name its latest rescue submersible in a traditional ceremony to be held at Fairlie Quay, Scotland.
The submersible has been custom built around JFD's Deep Search and Rescue ("DSAR") 500 class platform which draws on the company's unrivalled experience in submarine rescue operations and participation in rescue exercises worldwide. On completion of the trials programme DSAR-6 will be delivered to Singapore and integrated with the recently launched mothership "Swift Rescue" which was built by JFD's joint venture partner, Singapore Technologies Marine (STM).
Together JFD and STM have formed First Response Marine Pte Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture company which will provide a comprehensive submarine rescue service to the Republic of Singapore Navy. DSAR 6 and Swift Rescue are on schedule to enter service in spring 2009.
The naming ceremony comes just three months after a similar ceremony for the Republic of Korea Navy's "ROKS DSRV II" which this week successfully completed sea acceptance trials off the coast of the city port of Busan, South Korea. ROKS DSRV II will enter service on schedule following a formal ceremony on December 22nd where Roger Chapman, vice chairman of James Fisher Defence, will represent the company.
Mr Simon Harris, Managing Director of James Fisher Defence, said:
"This ceremony marks an important milestone for our company and for this project. We are grateful to the Defence Science and Technology Agency working on behalf of the Republic of Singapore Navy for entrusting us with the design and construction of this new submersible and the 20 year service to follow".
Commenting on the partnership, Rear Admiral Tan, Chief of Staff of the RSN said:
"The partnership between JFD and STM is a win-win solution which will allow the RSN to tap into the deep domain expertise and best practices in the industry to provide a reliable and cost effective submarine rescue service to the RSN"
-ENDS-
Editor's Notes
James Fisher Defence
James Fisher Defence was established in January 2005, bringing together the defence sector activities of James Fisher and Sons plc including those of James Fisher Rumic which was formed in 1984 and was acquired by James Fisher and Sons in 2002. In recent years the company has increased the scope of its activities providing submarine rescue hardware and services to navies worldwide.
In December 2006 James Fisher Defence Limited was awarded a contract to supply a new rescue submersible to the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). This followed the successful supply of a new dry mating skirt for the existing ROKN rescue submersible, LR5K.
In November 2006 JFD signed an agreement with the Government's Defence Sales Agency to acquire the operating assets of the UK submarine rescue service in order to provide submarine rescue services to other nations.
In August 2005, the rescue of the seven Russian submariners drew on the support from the RAF, the US Navy and local Russians to fly the team and equipment from its Renfrew base, transport it to a waiting ship, secure it to the vessel and reach the offshore location within 36 hours. It took about 5 hours to cut the discarded fishing nets which had trapped the mini-sub called the Priz at a depth of 625 feet off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula. This was achieved amid estimates that the Russian submariners had less than 10 hours of air left. The team was also previously mobilised for the Kursk submarine disaster in 2000.
James Fisher and Sons plc
James Fisher & Sons plc, the parent company to James Fisher Defence, is a market leader in the provision of technical engineering solutions in the marine environment with its business divided into four divisions: Offshore Oil Services, Marine Oil Services, Specialist Technical Services and Defence.
Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine)
ST Marine, ST Engineering's marine arm, provides turnkey building, repair and conversion services for a wide spectrum of naval and commercial vessels. In shipbuilding, it has the proven capabilities to provide turnkey solutions from concept definition to detailed design, construction, on-board system installation and integration, testing, commissioning to through-life support. It has also established a track record in providing high engineering content shiprepair and ship conversion services for a worldwide clientele. Please visit www.stengg.com.
ST Engineering is an integrated engineering group providing solutions and services in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. Headquartered in Singapore, the Group reported revenues of $4.49b in FY2006. With a market capitalisation in the region of $10b, it ranks among the largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. ST Engineering has more than 17,000 employees worldwide, and over 100 subsidiaries in 20 countries and 35 cities. Please visit www.stengg.com.
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Media Contacts
Simon Harris
Managing Director
James Fisher Defence
Tel : +44 (0)141 886 1985
Fax: +44 (0)141 886 6263
E: s.harris@james-fisher.co.uk
Rob Webster
Business Development Manager
James Fisher Defence
Tel : +44 (0)141 886 1985
Fax: +44 (0)141 886 6263
E: r.webster@james-fisher.co.uk