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Current Location
Atlantic, Caribbean & USA
09:14 GMT - 19 June 2013
Atlantic, Caribbean & USA
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HMS Chiddingfold
HMS Chiddingfold is one of eight Hunt-class minehunters in the Royal Navy which make up Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCM2) based in Portsmouth.
Bringing the galley back to life so that we can live onboard has been hard work and my team and I now need to make sure we keep the crew’s stomachs happy!
Leading Chef Stokes-Lilley
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HMS Chiddingfold
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HMS Chiddingfold
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HMS Chiddingfold
At the forefront of modern Naval operations, she returned from the Gulf in August 2011 after a three and a half year deployment where she had been a pioneer of the six-year enduring duty for British minehunters safeguarding the waters of the Gulf.
However 2012 saw a change of pace for the small ship which spent the majority of the year out of action with a mid-life upkeep rejuvenating the Hunt-class vessel. Among the overhaul for the minehunter was the replacement of her Deltic engines by the more efficient Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines which form a key part of the ship's regeneration.
In October 2012 the crew returned to their ship once more, bringing her back to life and gearing her up for the year ahead.
During her time away in the Gulf she completed route survey, sea-bed clearance, and mine clearance operations in former mined areas whilst furthering the UK’s relationships in the region by engagement with local states.
She is capable of being deployed anywhere in the world to ensure the security of vital sea lines of communication by identifying minelike contacts with her 2193 Sonar and disposing of them with either the Seafox Mine Disposal System or her Clearance Diving Element.
'Cheery Chid,' as she is known, was built by Vosper Thornycroft and launched on 6 October 1983, commisioning into the Royal Navy a year later.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Richard Rees
- RANK:
- Lieutenant Commander
- JOINED:
- September 1994
- SPECIALISATION:
- Warfare
- PREVIOUS UNITS:
- HMS Gloucester, Dulverton, Southampton, Lancaster, Northumberland, Albion
Military experience
Lt Cdr Richard Rees joined BRNC in September 1994 as a General List Supply Officer. Following Fleet training in HMS Gloucester, where he gained his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate, he was successful in his application to transfer to the Warfare Branch.
He then completed junior watchkeeping appointments in HMS Dulverton (Gunnery Officer) and HMS Southampton (Communications Officer) before Navigating HMS Lancaster.
After Principal Warfare Officer’s course, where he specialised in Underwater Warfare, he joined HMS Northumberland as the Operations Officer, bringing her out of refit in Rosyth. This was a challenging period as at the time the ship was the ‘pilot’ for the Navy Board’s Personnel Change Programme (NBPCP) and a new manning structure had to be implemented from scratch.
In November 06 he qualified as a Specialist Navigator and was subsequently appointed as a Staff Warfare Officer conducting Operational Sea Training. An enjoyable 30 months followed where he was involved in the training of every Frigate and Destroyer in the Royal Navy, as well as ships from 12 different international navies.
In May 09 he joined HMS Albion as Navigator and during this appointment deployed north of the Arctic Circle, to the Eastern Seaboard of the United States and to the Mediterranean and Middle East. During this last deployment, HMS Albion was the command platform for the initial Apache Strikes into Libya in 2011.
Lt Cdr Rees took command of HMS Chiddingfold and Crew 5 in April 12. He is married and lives in Hampshire.
OPERATIONS
Maintenance
CURRENT STATUS: active
In maintenance: Currently undergoing an upkeep period to prepare the ship for continued duties with the Fleet by maintaining and improving our engines, weapons and communications systems.
Operation Gulf MCMV
CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED
In support of wider British efforts in the region, minehunters are providing the capability to conduct route survey, sea-bed clearance, and mine clearance operations all over the Gulf. The operation also aims to provide a visible naval presence in a region where stability and good relations with local nations is vital. Much of the UK’s oil and gas, as well as other products, come from the Gulf region and as such these efforts are of vital importance to our economy and lifestyle.
ABOUT THE UNIT
KEY STATISTICS
- Pennant
M37
- Displacement
685tonnes
- Complement
45personnel
- Length
60Metres
- Beam
10metres
- Draught
3.4metres
- Top Speed
15knots
- Range (Nautical)
1500miles
- Launch Date
06/10/83
- Commissioned date
10/08/84
- Equivalent Length
316DVD Cases
TAKE A LOOK
HMS Chiddingfold
'Cheery Chid'
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High profile Naval visitor for re-vamped Minehunter
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The new engine arrangements are shown to Admiral Zambellas
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High profile Naval visitor for re-vamped Minehunter
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Chid’s MEO Warrant Officer ‘Jelly’ Bean briefs the Admiral on the new control systems for the Caterpillar engines.
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High profile Naval visitor for re-vamped Minehunter
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Lt Mike Rydiard receives his NATO Operation Unified Protector medal from Admiral Zambellas.
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High profile Naval visitor for re-vamped Minehunter
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Leading Chef Mark Stokes-Lilley receives his NATO Operation Unified Protector medal from Admiral Zambellas.
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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Chiddingfold springs back to life as crew rejoin her after a year-long revamp
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HMS Chiddingfold and crew while the ship was in dry dock
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HMS Chiddingfold receives Upgrade
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HMS CHIDDINGFOLD REFIT AFTER eight months in dry-dock, Royal Navy (RN) Mine-hunter HMS Chiddingfold is back in the water after âflooding-upâ on Friday 27th July. Flooding the dock was overseen by Dock Master Ray Gibbs, with timing critical as the operation can only take place in a short tidal window. Under his control water was released into the 15,000 tonne capacity dock at up to 3 tonnes per second, and once all underwater compartments had been checked for leaks the ship was lifted off her blocks ready to be moved out to the adjoining basin. The âCheery Chidâ as she is known has spent 8 months docked down in Portsmouth being upgraded with Caterpiller C32 Advanced Combustion Emission Reducing Technology (ACERT) diesel engines to replace her old Napier Deltics. She has also received upgrades to her machinery monitoring systems, computer systems and had obsolete equipment removed. The upgrades are all part of a mid-life update project which will see all eight of the RN Hunt-class upgraded over the next few years. This will significantly extend their operational lives, improving their efficiency, reliability and significantly reducing their emissions, maintaining the RNs position in the forefront of Mine Warfare Operations. HMS Chiddingfoldâs Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard Rees said: âIt is a real boost for the Shipâs Company and the project as a whole to see the ship back in the water after a long time in dock, and we are excited to be the first to try out the new systems.â The BAE Project Manager Mr Charles Earles said: âI would like to thank everyone for the hard work that has been put in to get to this milestone; we have achieved a great deal and now need to keep this momentum going.â
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HMS Chiddingfold receives Upgrade
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HMS CHIDDINGFOLD REFIT AFTER eight months in dry-dock, Royal Navy (RN) Mine-hunter HMS Chiddingfold is back in the water after âflooding-upâ on Friday 27th July. Flooding the dock was overseen by Dock Master Ray Gibbs, with timing critical as the operation can only take place in a short tidal window. Under his control water was released into the 15,000 tonne capacity dock at up to 3 tonnes per second, and once all underwater compartments had been checked for leaks the ship was lifted off her blocks ready to be moved out to the adjoining basin. The âCheery Chidâ as she is known has spent 8 months docked down in Portsmouth being upgraded with Caterpiller C32 Advanced Combustion Emission Reducing Technology (ACERT) diesel engines to replace her old Napier Deltics. She has also received upgrades to her machinery monitoring systems, computer systems and had obsolete equipment removed. The upgrades are all part of a mid-life update project which will see all eight of the RN Hunt-class upgraded over the next few years. This will significantly extend their operational lives, improving their efficiency, reliability and significantly reducing their emissions, maintaining the RNs position in the forefront of Mine Warfare Operations. HMS Chiddingfoldâs Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard Rees said: âIt is a real boost for the Shipâs Company and the project as a whole to see the ship back in the water after a long time in dock, and we are excited to be the first to try out the new systems.â The BAE Project Manager Mr Charles Earles said: âI would like to thank everyone for the hard work that has been put in to get to this milestone; we have achieved a great deal and now need to keep this momentum going.â
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HMS Chiddingfold receives Upgrade
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New engines for HMS Chiddingfold
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HMS Chiddingfold's Home Coming
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MINE HUNTER RETURNS AFTER THREE YEARS AWAY. The Portsmouth based minehunter HMS Chiddingfold has returned home from the Arabian Gulf where she spent three years on security patrols. The vessel operated out of Bahrain as part of the UKâs commitment to maintain a mine countermeasures presence in the region. As well as conducting security operations, HMS Chiddingfold carried out regular training with the UKâs regional partners and coalition nations. Her crew of 45 changed approximately every six months â the last taking over in January. Image Shows AB Diver Sudlow being greeted by girlfriend Jemma after HMS CHiddingfold returned to the uk
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HMS Chiddingfold's Home Coming
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HMS Chiddingfold passing Round Tower as well wishers welcome her home
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HMS Chiddingfold's Home Coming
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MINE HUNTER RETURNS AFTER THREE YEARS AWAY. The Portsmouth based minehunter HMS Chiddingfold has returned home from the Arabian Gulf where she spent three years on security patrols. The vessel operated out of Bahrain as part of the UKâs commitment to maintain a mine countermeasures presence in the region. As well as conducting security operations, HMS Chiddingfold carried out regular training with the UKâs regional partners and coalition nations. Her crew of 45 changed approximately every six months â the last taking over in January. Image shows Leading Engineering Tehcnician (Marine Engineer) Lee being greeted by son Edward after HMS CHiddingfold returned to the UK
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Chiddingfold visits Jordan
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Chiddingfold visits Jordan
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Chiddingfold visits Jordan
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Chiddingfold visits Jordan
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Chiddingfold visits Jordan
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HMS Chiddingfold
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HMS Chiddingfold
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HMS Chiddingfold
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UNITS IN TIME
HMS Chiddingfold HISTORY
TRACK THE HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED HMS Chiddingfold
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