EML Ugandi

EML Ugandi is a Sandown-class minehunter commissioned by the Estonian Navy in 2009. Ugandi is a former British Royal Navy vessel HMS Bridport built by Woolston Yard of Southampton-based shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Bridport.

EML Ugandi M315
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Bridport
Namesake: Bridport
Builder: Vosper Thornycroft
Launched: 20 July 1992
Commissioned: 6 November 1993
Decommissioned: 2004
Identification: Pennant number M105
Fate: Sold to Estonia
Estonia
Name: EML Ugandi
Namesake: Ugandi
Acquired: 2006
In service: 22 January 2009
Homeport: Tallinn
Identification:
Motto:
  • Semper Ante
  • (Always in Front)
Status: Active
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Sandown-class minehunter
Displacement: 450 tons full
Length: 52.6 m (172.6 ft)
Beam: 10.5 m (34.4 ft)
Draught: 2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) diesel
  • 6.5 knots (12.0 km/h; 7.5 mph) electric
Complement: 7 officers, 18 sailors
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Type 1007 navigation radar
  • Klein 5000 sidescan sonar
  • Thales Underwater Systems 2093
Armament:
Notes: Built of glass reinforced plastic

The ship is the third and final Sandown-class vessel to join the naval force after its mine countermeasures vessel modernization programme.[1] She is named after an ancient Estonian county Ugandi, between the east coast of Lake Võrtsjärv and west coast of Lake Pskov, bordered by Vaiga, Mõhu, Nurmekund, Sakala, Latgale, and Pskov.[2]

History

Bridport was built by Woolston Yard of Southampton-based shipbuilders Vosper Thornycroft as one of the 12 ship class of Sandown-class minehunters.

In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that as part of the restructuring of the Navy, the two oldest and one other Sandown-class minehunters would be retired by April 2005. Bridport was decommissioned and was then laid up awaiting a buyer or disposal. In September 2006, Estonia signed a contract to acquire the three vessels.

The former HMS Bridport was modernized and overhauled in Bay 1 of the Syncrolift at Rosyth. The project was started ahead of schedule to deconflict the programme.[3] On 22 January 2009, the Estonian Navy flag was hoisted on the ship and she was named ENS Ugandi during a ceremony at Rosyth Dockyard.[4] It reached Estonia on 24 February 2009, the Estonian Independence Day, under the command of Lieutenant Senior Grade Marek Mardo.[5] Since 28 October 2012, the ship carries the coat of arms of Otepää.[6]

Between 2012-2013, the ship had three of its Perkins CV8 generators replaced with SDMO V300 generators.[7] On 30 August 2013, Lieutenant Senior Grade Marek Mardo became the commander of the ship, replacing Lieutenant Commander Villu Klesmann,[8] who had been its commander since 2009.[9] On 17 December 2018, Lieutenant Senior Grade Martin Aeltermann replaced Lieutenant Junior Grade Jaanus Pulk-Piatkowski as commander of the ship. The ship would go through a modernization programme the following year.[10]

Characteristics

The vessel carries clearance divers and Remote Control Mine Disposal Systems. Unlike the previous Lindau-class minehunter, the vessel was built from glass reinforced plastic to reduce her magnetic signature. Other parts of the ship were constructed from non-ferrous metals for a similar reason. They are propelled by Voith Schneider Propellers and are very maneuverable due to two bow thrusters which gives an advantage when working with mines.[11] She differs from the previous two Sandown-class vessels delivered to the Estonian Navy, as she has been fitted with a ZU-23-2 twin mount, 23mm cannon system[2] and a Klein 5000 sidescan sonar.[1]

The ship's motto is in Latin: Semper Ante - which in English means: "Always In Front". The coat of arms was designed by Priit Herodes.

References
  1. Linkgreim, Inga-Gretel (22 January 2009). "Eestile anti üle kolmas Sandown-klassi miinijahtija" [The third Sandown-class minehunter handed over to Estonia]. ERR (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  2. Sulbi, Raul (24 January 2009). "Ugandi anti Eestile üle" [Ugandi handed over to Estonia]. Postimees. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  3. "The Big Picture: Blasting ahead Ugandi" (PDF). Babcock International. August 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  4. "Ships head from Rosyth to join Estonian Navy". STV News. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  5. Aasaru, Heikki (24 February 2009). "Miinijahtija Ugandi jõudis Eestisse" [The minehunter Ugandi arrives in Estonia]. ERR (in Estonian). Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  6. "EML Ugandi". Estonian Defence Forces (in Estonian). 9 January 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  7. "Estonian Navy Minehunter "Ugandi"". www.src.ee.
  8. "Miinijahtija Ugandi komandöriks nimetati Marek Mardo" [Marek Mardo appointed commander of the minehunter Ugandi]. DELFI (in Estonian). 31 August 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  9. Luts, Priit (15 November 2011). "Aasta ohvitser on vanemleitnant Villu Klesmann" [The officer of the year is Lieutenant Senior Grade Villu Klesmann]. ERR (in Estonian). Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  10. Viirand, Laur (17 December 2018). "Mereväe miinijahtija Ugandi sai uue komandöri" [Naval minehunter Ugandi gets a new commander]. ERR (in Estonian). Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  11. Olver, Jeremy (10 April 2001). "Sandown class single role minehunters". Warships of the Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 21 June 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2019.


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