A-133 Hecla

Country:  United Kingdom

Class, [Type]: Hecla, [AGS].

Builder: Yarrow Shipbuilders, Blythswood, U.K.

Launch date: 21 December 1964.

Commission date: 09 June 1965.

Decommission date: retired in january 1997.

Displacement ( tons ): 1.915 standard, 2.733 full load.

Dimensions ( metres ): 79,3 x 15 x 4,7

Main machinery: 3 x Paxman 12YJCZ diesels ( 3.600 hp ).

Speed ( knots ): 14.

Range ( miles ): 12.000 at 11 knots.

Complement: 115 ( 13 officers ) plus 6 scientists.

Guns: 2 x Oerlikon 20mm.

Radar: Navigation: Kelvin Hughes Type 1006, I band.

Helicopter: 1 x Westland Lynx HAS 3.

Callsign:  GPBA ()

Comment: First Royal Navy ship designed to combine oceanographic and hidrographic investigation. Starting from a merchant type ship, it looks quite similar to the Discovery. It has room for a Land Rover, and a helicopter hangar at stern. It was modified, during years 1990 - 1991, to the same standards as the Herald, and to support mine countermeasures warfare. During that process, the helicopter landing platform was enlarged, and a decompression chamber was fitted. Acted as Hospital ship during the Falklands war. Sold to an Irish company that renamed her "Bligh".