Royal Navy turns off oldest engine for final time Simon Hunter 13th April 2023 at 6:00am

Minehunter HMS Brocklesby returns from Gulf to HNMB Portsmouth (Picture: Royal Navy).

After more than 40 years of service, the Royal Navy's oldest engine has run for the final time.

The last Rover Salvage Generator in the fleet will be retired, with the return of HMS Brocklesby to Portsmouth after UK drills and operations, the Navy said.

The Rover was installed when Brocklesby was constructed in Southampton in 1981-82, meaning the piece of equipment is older than most of the ship's personnel.

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Minehunters like HMS Brocklesby can run for decades, as long as the onboard kit is kept up to date and maintained when needed.

The generator provides backup power to allow the ship's essential systems to keep running in the event of an emergency.

Crews can start up the Rover to retain key functions like steering, radar and monitoring if electrical systems fail.

It will be replaced by a Cat C4.4 – a newer and more efficient motor, the Navy said.

HMS Brocklesby on surveying duties in Plymouth Sound earlier this year (Picture: Royal Navy).

For the past six months, crew 1 from Portsmouth's 2nd Mine Counter-Measures Squadron has looked after the 40-year-old warship.

The last act for HMS Brocklesby before heading back to Portsmouth was taking part alongside Nato allies and other Navy ships on Exercise Joint Warrior.

That concluded in Campbeltown in Scotland, where the order was given to fire up the Rover one last time and set the main engines 'Pompey Revs' (full speed for home).