HMS Ocean heads north for winter training.
GreatBriton @ Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:00 pm
The Royal Navy's largest amphibious warship, HMS Ocean, sailed from Devonport Naval Base on 6 February 2006 to take part in a winter-training exercise in Norway.
The exercise will take place in Northern Norway and will include multi-national forces operating at sea and on land. In addition to many ships, the land exercise will involve nearly 15,000 troops. HMS Ocean will embark several sea king helicopters in the week commencing 13 February 2006 in the channel before a short visit to Portsmouth Naval Base. She will then deploy to Norway and rendezvous with her Royal Marines from 45 Commando.
HMS Ocean's landing craft have already deployed and are currently undertaking beach reconnaissance and navigation training. They will rejoin HMS Ocean soon after her arrival. HMS Ocean's Commanding Officer, Captain Chris Snow, said:
"The deployment will provide an excellent opportunity for our embarked military force to train in an inhospitable and demanding environment. This will ensure the RN Service remains flexible, ready and able to deploy at short notice to regions of extreme climate be that the freezing mountains to the hot, arid desert regions.
"In addition the ship's company will be able to enjoy the stunning Norwegian scenery and enjoy some well earned time ashore."
This will be HMS Ocean's first deployment from the UK since Captain Snow assumed command in December 2005. The ship is due to return to the UK in April 2006.
BartSimpson @ Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:53 pm
The HMS Ocean is not amphibious.
Wullu @ Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:53 pm
We worked with a new RN amphib class of ship last winter as they went through their winter climate trials. Was a sharp looking piece of kit but at one point they had every small boat on the ship stranded bobbing around the augie with the fuel lines frozen solid. I guess that is why we all do these kind of trials. Now they know about gasline anti-freeze. 
ziggy @ Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:58 pm
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
The HMS Ocean is not amphibious.
Where's the wheels?
Imagine seeing that come lumbering down the beach?
Wullu @ Wed Mar 01, 2006 3:25 pm
ziggy ziggy:
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
The HMS Ocean is not amphibious.
Where's the wheels?
Imagine seeing that come lumbering down the beach?
She is about the size of the casino-barge I saw half a click inland in Biloxi after katrina....and yeah it is pretty damned bizzare for sure
Scape @ Wed Mar 01, 2006 3:30 pm
ziggy ziggy:
BartSimpson BartSimpson:
The HMS Ocean is not amphibious.
Where's the wheels?
Imagine seeing that come lumbering down the beach?
Designed With Troops in Mind
$1:
Unlike previous LPHs (Landing Platform Helicopter), which were converted aircraft carriers, HMS Ocean was built with Royal marines commandos in mind.
Her primary role is to carry an embarked Commando, 12 medium support helicopters and six Lynx or Gazelle attack helicopters.
The commando force and its equipment would be landed as part of an amphibious assault, principally by air.
However, water-bourne landings are also possible, using the ship's four Vosper Thorycroft-built landing craft.
Vehicles and stores are loaded through a starboard quarter ramp, like a car ferry, and Ocean's vehicle deck can take six 105mm howitzer light funs and up to 40 assorted military transport vehicles.
Her primary role is to carry an embarked Commando, 12 medium support helicopters and six Lynx or Gazelle attack helicopters.
The commando force and its equipment would be landed as part of an amphibious assault, principally by air.
However, water-bourne landings are also possible, using the ship's four Vosper Thorycroft-built landing craft.
Vehicles and stores are loaded through a starboard quarter ramp, like a car ferry, and Ocean's vehicle deck can take six 105mm howitzer light funs and up to 40 assorted military transport vehicles.