The HMS Scott sailing in the Antarctic in January 2010. The Scott recently completed a major refit, several months behind schedule. (UK Ministry of Defence/LA(Phot) Kaz Williams)

Great (HMS) Scott! British Ocean Survey Vessel to Return to Service

Share this link on Facebook

Share this page on X (Twitter)

Share this link on LinkedIn

Share this page on Reddit

Email a link to this page

HMS Scott’s return to service came after a months-long delay in its life extension program, for unknown reasons.

The Royal Navy’s only dedicated deep-water ocean survey vessel is now set to return to service, after spending years under intensive maintenance. The HMS Scott (H131) departed from the port of Falmouth, England, last Friday following the completion of its Ship Life Extension Program (SLEP). The largest survey ship in Europe will now remain in operation until at least 2033.

As with other Royal Navy programs, the SLEP delivery time slipped. Work on the HMS Scott began in November 2024 at the A&P Falmouth shipyards, with a planned November 2025 delivery. The ship exited dry dock last October, but then sat at the yard for the past eight months.

“No explanation has been given for this,” Navy Lookout reported—adding that as HMS Scott has a lower profile than other Royal Navy vessels, the months-long delay had “escaped........

© The National Interest