<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Sub support ship to join navy's fleet
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The Swift Rescue is expected to be delivered to the Singapore Navy by March. -- PHOTO: ST MARINE
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE Republic of Singapore Navy has added a submarine support and rescue ship to its fleet.
Dubbed Swift Rescue, the vessel - the first of its kind in South-east Asia - will carry a submarine rescue vehicle and its handling systems on board and head out to sea to rescue stricken submarines.
The rescue vehicle, still being built in Britain by James Fisher Defence, can be lowered to a depth of 500m underwater to reach a submarine. Swift Rescue can hit speeds of 13 knots.
It was launched last Saturday by defence company Singapore Technologies Engineering's marine arm at its Benoi Yard.
About 20 months ago, the navy awarded the $400 million contract to ST Marine and British marine defence contractor James Fisher Defence to build, design and maintain the ship and marine rescue system over 20 years.
An ST Marine spokesman said the submarine rescue vessel is expected to be delivered by March.
JERMYN CHOW
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The Swift Rescue is expected to be delivered to the Singapore Navy by March. -- PHOTO: ST MARINE
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->THE Republic of Singapore Navy has added a submarine support and rescue ship to its fleet.
Dubbed Swift Rescue, the vessel - the first of its kind in South-east Asia - will carry a submarine rescue vehicle and its handling systems on board and head out to sea to rescue stricken submarines.
The rescue vehicle, still being built in Britain by James Fisher Defence, can be lowered to a depth of 500m underwater to reach a submarine. Swift Rescue can hit speeds of 13 knots.
It was launched last Saturday by defence company Singapore Technologies Engineering's marine arm at its Benoi Yard.
About 20 months ago, the navy awarded the $400 million contract to ST Marine and British marine defence contractor James Fisher Defence to build, design and maintain the ship and marine rescue system over 20 years.
An ST Marine spokesman said the submarine rescue vessel is expected to be delivered by March.
JERMYN CHOW
