Hythe Engineering’s Role in Royal Navy Power Improvement Project
Hythe Engineering is utilising its diverse capabilities by assisting with the delivery of the Royal Navy’s Power Improvement Programme (PIP) for the Type 45 Destroyers. This project has enabled Hythe to provide essential support from multiple disciplines and facilities across the company.
The Power Improvement Programme
The PIP is best characterised as a ship conversion project. It will return full confidence in the propulsion systems while also providing a margin of additional electrical power for future upgrades. The PIP affects nearly all marine engineering aspects of the T45, with minor impacts identified ship-wide and on elements of the combat system.
Not helped by COVID, the PIP work on the programme’s first vessel over-ran by a year. But the lessons learned should see subsequent vessels complete their PIP more quickly.
The PIP is a £160 million contract being delivered by the Ministry of Defence. Hythe Engineering is supporting with the project, currently working on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Hythe’s Fareham Works is responsible for 80% of the offsite constructive steelwork packages. Its Portsmouth facility has produced over 500 piping spools and penetrations needed for the project. Portsmouth has also completed the remaining constructive items and addressed additional works that have emerged.
The Hythe Engineering Team
Hythe has a 30-person strong afloat team on this vessel, installing and advancing the project’s progress. This includes one fourth-year apprentice, plater Billy Bramble. The constructive and pipework teams are led by Aiden Steward and Fred Creamer, respectively.
According to Project Manager Matt Cross, “Both gents bring tremendous knowledge and experience as well as huge energy and enthusiasm to the project. Having them on the team gives me great confidence that we will deliver successfully.“
“I’m looking forward to working with this great team daily, as well as collaborating with other functions like logistics, compliance, and finance,” Cross remarked. “It’s refreshing to work with colleagues who have a real passion for their discipline and take the time to help broaden my knowledge.“
Hythe Engineering’s recently revamped business structure promotes smooth communication and information sharing throughout the project lifecycle. It has already proven its worth in enabling a smooth handover from tendering to the project delivery team. Clear and precise details of specifications within the project ensured procurement of the correct materials, with the correct certification requirements.
Why Hythe Engineering?
When a deadline’s not just a task, it’s national security. When attention to detail isn’t preferred, it’s critical. When discretion isn’t a request, it’s assumed.
Our commitment to customers goes beyond the baseline of capabilities as we relentlessly pursue excellence in the face of adversity. We are in our element when engineering precision and innovation meet urgency and where confidentiality is critical.