Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Pompey-based engineers get in the Singapore swing to support HMS Spey
15 October 2025
Several teams of engineers from Fleet Support Unit Brunel swapped the Solent for Singapore to help patrol ship HMS Spey through her annual maintenance period.
After a busy 12 months on patrol around the western Pacific and Southeast Asia, the second-generation River-class vessel put into Singapore for some much-needed TLC (officially a docking support period).
Barely had the team stepped off the plane than they were at work on the Offshore Patrol Vessel, removing a significant number of essential flexible hoses to allow replacements to be manufactured and installed – a task completed not only successfully but ahead of schedule.
A string of other tasks awaited the FSU team: servicing of fan starter panels, bilge sensors and upper deck lighting. Several engineers also replaced all three diesel generator heat exchangers.
To prepare Spey for engineering inspections, the team validated the ship’s escape plan, carried out replacement of the seawater strainers for the main engines and performed routine servicing of vent dampers.
And for good measure they reinstalled the galley deckhead and lighting following contractor work and completed a substantial number of weapon system inspections.
Despite a demanding work schedule, there was opportunity to enjoy the sights of one of the world’s great metropolises.
The engineers enjoyed Singapore Zoo, Gardens by the Bay, Arab Street and Chinatown, downed a Singapore Sling on a rooftop terrace and tried their hand at luge racing on Sentosa Island.
Overall, the surge team from the UK provided valuable engineering support to HMS Spey during a particularly busy period, while also offering personnel the kind of enriching experiences that the Royal Navy routinely promotes as part of its career offering.
“Supporting HMS Spey in Singapore was a rewarding challenge for FSU Brunel,” said the unit’s Officer in Charge, Lieutenant Seb Mills.
“The team responded swiftly to emergent engineering demands and delivered high-quality results across a range of support tasks. Alongside the hard work, the chance to explore Singapore’s culture and attractions during downtime proved to be a real highlight, demonstrating the variety, adventure, and professional fulfilment that come with a career as an engineer in the Royal Navy”