HMS Inverness (M102)

HMS "Inverness" (M102) was a "Sandown"-class minehunter of the Royal Navy. She was decommissioned in 2005.

Career

HMS "Inverness" was built by Vosper Thornycroft and launched on 27 February 1990 as one of the 12 ship class of "Sandown" class minehunters.

"Inverness" took part in the major joint service Exercise Saif Sareea II in Oman throughout October 2001, and also trained on her way back from the Gulf as part of the overarching Exercise Argonaut 2001 maritime task group. During Exercise Saif Sareea II, "Inverness" formed part of a minehunter group with her sisters HMS "Walney", and the Hunt class Mine countermeasure vessels HMS "Quorn" and HMS "Cattistock", supported by RFA "Diligence". [ [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo011022/text/11022w01.htm HANSARD written answers] ]

In 2003, "Inverness" was one of a number of Royal Navy warships taking part in a multi-national exercises off Scotland, which involved ships and aircraft from a number of the world's navies, including French, German and American units. [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2003/06/mil-030625-rnn01.htm globalsecurity.org] ] HMS "Inverness" was awarded the Freedom of the City of Inverness in 2004. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3944579.stm bbc.co.uk] ]

In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that as part of the restructuring of the Navy, the three oldest "Sandown" class minehunters would be retired by April 2005. HMS "Inverness" was decommissioned in 2005 and was then laid up awaiting a buyer or disposal. In September 2006, Estonia signed a contract to acquire the three vessels.

After refitting in Rosyth "Inverness" was formally handed over to the Estonian Navy in April 2007, and renamed EML "Sakala" (M314).

References

*Colledge