Defence Marine Services, part of DE&S, manages two PFI contracts for:
- the provision of Marine Services with SD Marine Services Ltd (SDMS); and
- the provision of Marine Support to Ranges and Aircrew Training with Smit International (Scotland) Ltd.
Users include: Navy Command, Land Forces, Air Command, Centre, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Chief of Joint Operations (CBF Cyprus and CBF Gibraltar).
Marine services are provided through a 15-year service provision PFI contract with SDMS that was let in 2007.
Marine services embrace a wide range of waterborne and associated support activities, both in-port and out of port.
- In-port activities take place in the Royal Navy’s major bases of Portsmouth, Devonport and on the Clyde, and include: tugs for ship movements, ferry operations, movements of explosives, lighterage and barges.
- Out of port activities include: the provision of support to military exercises, UK and worldwide maritime trials and training, including NATO Submarine Rescue System training, support to maritime ranges and the maintenance of some 350 moorings and navigational marks around the UK and in Gibraltar and Cyprus.
SDMS manage, operate and maintain around 110 vessels to deliver these services. The arrangement with SDMS will modernise marine services, and will result in a refreshed fleet of vessels capable of handling current and future warships and submarines at a greater level of efficiency.
The service for Marine Support to Ranges and Aircrew Training is provided by SMIT (Scotland) Ltd and runs until April 2017.
The service provides the following outputs to tri-service users at nine locations around the UK coast:
- Provision of a range safety craft service on six Defence Infrastructure Organisation live firing ranges;
- Provision of a vessel winching platform for six RAF Search and Rescue (SAR) flights, 2 RAF SAR training establishments and a number of Land Forces helicopter units;
- Provision of a ferrying service and safety boat for tri-service aircrew sea survival drills
- Provision of marine target towing for RAF fast jets
- Participation in, and support to, national and international SAR exercises
- Recovery of Air Sea Rescue Apparatus.
- Provision of craft for Navy Command boarding exercises, simulation of arms and drug smuggling activities and force protection exercises involving both Fast Attack Craft and Fast Inshore Attack Craft
Smit manages and operates a total of 16 fast patrol type craft in support of Range Safety and Aircrew Training.
Page updated 20 September 2011