HMS ECHO, the Royal Navy hydrographic survey vessel, arrives at the Gibraltar Naval Base today to take on board stores before going to the East coast of Gibraltar to calibrate survey equipment. Following an overnight stay she will be working west of the Strait of Gibraltar.
ECHO was launched at Appledore in Devon in 2002, and was designed to carry out a wide range of survey work, including support to submarine and amphibious operations, through the collection of oceanographic and bathymetric (analysis of the ocean, its salinity and sound profile) data.
Her survey motor boat, Pathfinder, is capable of operating independently, supporting a small group of surveyors who can live and work ashore to carry out surveys.
Gibraltar Chronicle 01-08-12
