Fact file: Hecla (Protea)-class hydrographic vessel

Name

Builder

Laid Down

Launched

Commissioned:

SAS Protea (A324)

Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, United Kingdom.

nn.

July 14, 1971.

May 23, 1972.

Designation:

Survey Ship (AGS¹)

Number:

One.

Main contactor:

Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd.

Cost:

Not known.

Associated project names:

Hotel (Replacement programme)

Ship’s company:

124 (10 officers).

Major dimensions & weights:

• Displacement:

• Growth potential:

• Length:

• Beam:

• Draught:

• 2733mt, full load.

• Not known.

• 79.3m.

• 15m.

• 4.7m.

Survivability:

Not known.

Main machinery:

Diesel-electric: Three MTU diesels providing 2.68mW (3840 hp), sustained, to three generators that supplies one 1.49mW (2000hp) electric motor that powers a single shaft.

Bow thruster.

Performance:

• Output, max (diesels):

• Speed, max:

• Range, miles:

• Endurance:

• Not known.

• 14kts.

• 12,000 at 12kts.

• Not known

Electronics:

• ESM/ECM:

• Decoys: nn.

• Countermeasures:

• Combat management system:

• Weapons control:

• Radars:

  • Air/surface search:

  • Fire control:

  • Navigation

• IFF:

• Sonar:

Other:

• None.

• None.

• None.

• None.

• None.

• None.

• Racal Decca I-band.

• Not known

• None.

• EGNG side-scan.

• Not known.

Armament:

• Missiles:

• Guns:

• Torpedoes:

• Autonomous underwater vehicles:

• Helicopters:

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV):

• None.

• None.

• None.

• None.

• One Alouette III or Agusta A109 or SuperLynx.

• None.

Expected life-time:

40 years (Vessel 38 years old in 2010).

Comment:

The Protea is equipped for hydrographic survey and the collection of oceanographic data. She also carries a Polaris survey system and survey launches. Her hull is strengthened for navigation in ice. She is also fitted with a passive roll stabilisation system. New engines were installed during a major refit during 1995-96. The Protea carries and two survey boats.