“Having served in Sutherland for over three years now, there have been many ups and downs,” said weapon engineer Chief Petty Officer Craig Woodward, the ship’s longest serving crew member.
“We have travelled far and wide, from the Far East deployment in 2018 to national tasking operations in 2019 and 2020, but the ship's company have always been what has made Sutherland a pleasure to serve in.”
As she’s been heavily in demand this year, her 200 sailors have spent much of 2020 isolated together in a Covid 19 bubble which has meant separation from loved ones and friends.
From Monday, they will begin preparing the ship for refit which will be carried out by Babcock in its frigate complex in Devonport Naval Base.
“Our final entry to our home port in five years marks the end of an incredibly busy period in the ship's life,” said Commander Tom Weaver, Sutherland’s Commanding Officer who, like many shipmates, will be leaving the Fighting Clan shortly.
“I'm particularly proud of our achievements in the High North in September, providing an RN-led presence in the Southern Barents Sea for the first time in many years.
“We could not have achieved all that we have without the most capable and professional sailors onboard, and as we all go our separate ways we will of course proudly remember serving in Sutherland, and will remain members of the Fighting Clan.”
Sutherland’s engines, combat systems and sensors will all be overhauled, improved or replaced, and living quarters given a makeover to meet the expectations of sailors serving in the 2020s.
“The upgrades to the ship will see her gain world-class capabilities that will keep her at the forefront of maritime technology for years to come and until she is replaced by the Type 26 frigates,” said Weapon Engineer Officer Lieutenant Commander David Tinsley.
“From the engines to the mission system, missiles and sonar, Sutherland will leave upkeep future-proofed and ready to continue delivering on operations as she has done so ably to this point.”
When she re-emerges in more than two years’ time, she’ll be the Fleet’s most potent submarine hunter, equipped with Sea Ceptor missiles to fend off air attack – Sutherland is the last ship in the Fleet to carry Seawolf, now 40 years old – and be set for front-line duties until 2032.
By then the under-construction Type 26 and planned Type 31 frigates will be increasingly bearing the burden of the missions currently carried out by Sutherland and her 12 sisters.
