HMS SCOTT (Ocean Survey Vessel)

Newsletter July 2009

Dear Friends,

© 2009 MOD HMS SCOTT at sea

This is the first newsletter from HMS SCOTT so I should introduce myself. I am Commander Gary Hesling and I am extremely fortunate to be the current Commanding Officer of HMS SCOTT.

HMS SCOTT is an Ocean Survey Vessel and the multibeam sonar system I have onboard is capable of mapping in 3 dimensions the deepest ocean depths in the World. The data gathered by SCOTT is used for hydrographic and defence purposes alike.

I have been in the Royal Navy for 23 years and I am a Warfare Officer who specialises in Hydrography and Navigation. I joined the Service as an Ordinary Seaman and was fortunate to be commissioned after 6 years. I have served in ships across the Service and was extremely fortunate to spend 2 years as the Executive Officer in HMS ENDURANCE, where I first met the Friends of SPRI.

© 2009 MOD HMS SCOTT Nearing the end of refit and gleaming!

After taking Command of SCOTT in January my programme changed at short notice and SCOTT now finds itself deploying to Antarctica for it's first time in January 2010. I never thought I would have the opportunity of returning to Antarctica again, to that end I would like SCOTT to develop an affiliation with the SPRI and we look forward to welcoming the "The Friends of SPRI" to their visit of HMS SCOTT on 16 October in Plymouth before we deploy for operations.

We look forward to cementing our relationship and I will keep in regular contact throughout our deployment.

Best Wishes

Cmdr Gary Hesling RN