hms bulwark

Measuring a staggering 176 metres long, HMS Bulwark is a sight you can’t miss! 

On Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September from 11:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 25 September from 10:00 to 12:30, visitors to the show will be able to climb aboard, talk to the crew and explore this astounding ship.

HMS Bulwark is part of the Albion class – the UK’s newest class of amphibious assault warships. She was launched in 2001 and has since taken part in operational tasking off the coast of Southern Iraq. Following her flagship status in the Taurus 09 deployment, she underwent a six-month refit in 2010 and rejoined the fleet in March of this year.

FACTS & STATS

• Displacement - 18,500 tonnes
• Docked Down - 21,500 tonnes (approx)
• Length - 176m
• Beam - 25.6 m waterline, 28.9 metres max
• Draught - 7.1 metres
• Complement - Upto 387, Embarked Military Force of 305, Further 405 in overload
• Speed - 18 knots
• Military Lift - Vehicle deck capacity for up to six tanks or around 30 armoured all-terrain tracked carriers
  

4 ASRM -  ASSAULT SQUADRON ROYAL MARINES
4 ASRM is an 85 man Sqn of RM who are indigenous to HMS Bulwark, headed up by a Lt Col RM.  Their main role is delivery of amphibious force from ship to shore and through a clear safe beach head, this is delivered with the following elements.

LCU - Landing Craft Utility
There are 4 LCUs housed in the dock of HMS Bulwark.  They are a 30 metre, 62t craft which can be used as a vehicle ferry, to carry a Company (120 ranks) and as a FOB (forward operating base) to conduct ops from a forward position. The craft has an endurance of 1000 nautical miles.

ABU - Amphibious Beach
The ABU are the Recce section and are broken down into 2 parts.  ABU light and ABU heavy.  ABU light consists of 5 ranks lead by a CSgt, they move covertly into potential landing sites in inflatable Zodiacs and conduct reconnaissance and deliver a report back from the beach to the planners on board ship, who then prioritise assets and launch landing craft over the cleared beach.  ABU heavy consists of 15 ranks lead by a Capt RM.  Their main role is deployment of heavy plant and recovery vehicles onto the beach head.  The BRV (Beach recovery vehicle) is a 62 tonne adapted leopard 2 tank which assists the Landing craft if broached or aground at the point of landing.

LCVP - Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel
There are 4 LCVPs hoisted by davits on the side of HMS Bulwark.  They are 15m, 16 tonne craft which can be used to deliver a troop (35 ranks) from ship to shore, they can also embark a land rover and trailer or BV tracked vehicle.  The are capable of travelling at 20kts for a duration of 200 nautical miles.

Don't miss this HMS Bulwark, making her one of the most exciting feature boats ever to come to the south coast’s Show and an unmissable part of the 10 day event.