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HMS Hurworth (M39)

HMS Hurworth is a Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel – a minehunter. She plays a vital role in keeping the seas safe around the world.

HMS Hurworth

Role

Led by Lieutenant Commander Alex Knight, minehunters like HMS Hurworth detect and destroy dangers under the water. Her highly trained crew use specialist skills and equipment to keep shipping lanes safe and neutralise threats left from conflicts past.

Adaptable and dependable, HMS Hurworth can be deployed on a range of missions, including protecting lawful maritime enterprise in the Gulf, responding rapidly to developing international crises, or making sure the UK’s sea lanes remain safe and secure.

Capability

A highly skilled smaller ship, Hurworth play a vital part in the worldwide mine countermeasures commitments.

Like her sister ships of the Hunt Class, HMS Hurworth boasts a world-leading mine disposal system, Seafox. This innovative technology – the most proficient system of its type ever invented – makes HMS Hurworth and the Royal Navy’s MCMV contingent the envy other navies across the globe.

Hunt Class

Role

HMS Chiddingfold was operated by a complement of five officers and 39 Ratings, her ship’s company maintaining a high state of readiness thanks to a rigorous training and maintenance programme.

Initially intended to clear mines from shallow waters, principally in Northern Europe, for the past two decades, 'Cheery Chid' was repeatedly deployed to the Gulf as part of the Royal Navy minehunting forces operating from Bahrain to ensure the safety of shipping and working with regional partners.

Hunt Class

Unit history

1941

The First HMS Hurworth

Was built to provide anti-air defence to the Fleet. She sunk after striking a mine in 1943 off the Greek Island of Kalymnos.
1985

Second Hurworth launches

Today’s Hurworth was built in 1985, though with further technological advances over the years, she remains among the most capable MCMVs afloat today.
2005

More than a minehunter

Hurworth joined the rescue attempt of the Herald of Free Enterprise off the coast of Zeebruge.
1991

Battle honours

The first Gulf War.
2005

Major upgrade

Fitted with an upgraded sonar to keep her ahead of the game.

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