Hecla-class survey vessel

SAS Protea at Cape Town in 2011
Class overview
Operators Royal Navy South African Navy
Cost£1.25 million
In commissionUK: 1966-2001; South Africa: 1972-present
Completed5
Active1
Retired4
General characteristics
TypeDeep ocean hydrographic survey vessel
Displacement2,800 tons (originally 2,733 tons)
Length260 ft (79 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draught16 ft (4.9 m)
Propulsion
  • 3 × Paxman Ventura 12YJCZ 12-cylinder turbo-charged diesel-electric engines for the 2,000 shaft horsepower main propulsion
  • 2 × Paxman 6YJXZ auxiliary engines
Speed14 knots (26 km/h)
Range12,000 nautical miles (22,000 km)
Boats & landing
craft carried
  • 2 × 31 ft (9.4 m) surveying motor boats (SMB)
  • 1 × 18 ft (5.5 m) SMB
ComplementGenerally a Commander (X)(H) in command (though sometimes a Captain RN), with 12-15 officers and 104-106 ratings, 1 NAAFI canteen manager, 1 laundryman
Aircraft carried1 × Westland Wasp helicopter from 829 Naval Air Squadron
Aviation facilities
  • Hangar, aft
  • Flight deck recognition letters were HD (Hydra), HE (Herald), HL (Hecla), HT (Hecate)
Notes1 × Land Rover (with garage, forward)

The Hecla class formed the backbone of the Royal Navy's ocean survey fleet from the mid-1960s.

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