The MOD (Navy) have recommended that the existing five patrol craft be replaced on a one- for-one basis, despite the higher speed of the replacement vessels. This is based on the need to maintain one craft at sea continuously, with a second ship on standby at short notice and a third available as a backup to meet the squadron's peacetime commitments, and the desirability of having one craft in each of the four patrol sectors during a period of tension. Experience gained by the Royal Navy elsewhere in assisting other navies to operate patrol craft of similar specification has shown that as a general rule four vessels are needed to provide an availability of three, and five vessels are needed to provide an availability of four. The Captain-in-Charge has calculated that, taking into account refits, maintenance, sea training and other essential deployments outside Hong Kong, the following availability will be achieved with five craft:
Five ships will be available for
4 weeks in a year;
Four ships will be available for
25 weeks in a year;
Three ships will be available for
22 weeks in a year;
Only two ships will be available for one week.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.