SERCO/RIM Marine Dynamics 'Island Surveyor' MCM Mothership and Deepsea Cable Tender
Island-Class MCM Motherships;
Originally designed as civilian oil rig tenders, the Island-class represents a unique evolution into naval service as state-of-the-art Mine Countermeasures (MCM) motherships.
These vessels were repurposed by the Royal Imperial Maritime forces, capitalizing on their spacious aft cargo decks—once used for supply operations—to accommodate and deploy ALaRV (Automatic Launch and Recovery Vehicles), semi-autonomous MCM boats engineered for minehunting and disposal.
Design & Features:
Hull & Superstructure:
Retaining their robust offshore supply vessel hulls, these ships are built to withstand rough sea states, making them ideal for prolonged operations in contested waters.
Command & Control:
Upgraded with a modernized bridge, integrated mission control center, and advanced sensor suites to coordinate MCM operations with both autonomous and crewed assets.
ALaRV Deployment System:
A reinforced launch and recovery system on the aft deck allows for the rapid deployment of multiple ALaRV craft, enabling wide-area mine-clearing operations.
Aviation Capabilities:
A helicopter landing pad located atop the superstructure provides operational support for rotary-wing assets, assisting in reconnaissance, logistics, and airborne mine disposal missions.
Mission Versatility:
While optimized for MCM operations, the Island-class can also be configured for hydrographic survey missions, maritime security, and offshore patrol duties when required.
Class Overview:
Name Pennant Number Notes
RIM Island Surveyor UT 777 Lead ship of the class, seen in the image.
RIM Island Guardian UT 778 Specialized for deeper-water mine clearance.
RIM Island Sentinel UT 779 Configured for joint MCM and hydrographic survey missions.
The conversion of these vessels showcases the Royal Imperial Maritime forces' adaptability, transforming commercial assets into cutting-edge naval platforms. The Island-class plays a vital role in securing strategic waterways, ensuring safe passage for naval and civilian vessels alike.
ALaRV (Automatic Launch and Recovery Vehicle) XI System;
Automatic Launch and Recovery Vehicle (ALaRV) Class
Type: Semi-Autonomous Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Vessel
Operator: RIM Navy
Role: Mine Detection, Classification, and Disposal
Armament: None (Carries SeaFox ROV for mine neutralization)
Units in Service: 3 (Trials), 13 (On Order)
Overview
The Automatic Launch and Recovery Vehicle (ALaRV) Class represents a cutting-edge leap in unmanned Mine Countermeasures (MCM) technology. Designed for seamless integration with the Island-class MCM motherships, these autonomous vessels are tasked with detecting, identifying, and neutralizing naval mines in high-risk environments—keeping manned warships and personnel out of harm’s way.
Each ALaRV is equipped with advanced sonar, high-resolution cameras, and an onboard suite of Artificial Intelligence-driven processing tools, allowing it to autonomously patrol designated areas, map minefields, and classify underwater threats.
MCM Capability – SeaFox ROV System
At the heart of the ALaRV’s mine-neutralization capability is the SeaFox ROV. This remotely-operated vehicle comes in two variants:
SeaFox-I (Identification Unit) – A reconnaissance drone that locates and classifies mines.
SeaFox-C (Combat Unit) – A disposable variant equipped with a shaped charge to destroy confirmed threats.
Once a mine is detected, the ALaRV deploys a SeaFox-C ROV to engage and neutralize the hazard with pinpoint precision.
Operational Role
Mine Clearance – Conducts autonomous or remote-controlled clearance of naval minefields.
Rapid Deployment – Launched from Island-class motherships or operated independently from naval bases.
Multi-Vehicle Coordination – Capable of swarm operations, where multiple ALaRVs coordinate to clear large areas efficiently.
Stealth & Survivability – Small, low-signature design reduces the risk of enemy detection and targeting.
Current Units & Future Expansion
The first three ALaRVs—Peregrine, Osprey, and Harrier—are currently undergoing operational trials alongside RIM Island Surveyor. An additional 13 units have been ordered, each named after birds of prey, reflecting their speed, precision, and lethal efficiency in countering underwater threats.
Active Trial Units:
ALaRV-01 "Peregrine" – The fastest and most agile of the fleet, specialized in rapid mine detection and clearance.
ALaRV-02 "Osprey" – Optimized for endurance and payload capacity, suited for deploying specialized countermeasures.
ALaRV-03 "Harrier" – A versatile platform, capable of autonomous operations in complex environments.
On Order (Planned Names):
ALaRV-04 "Kestrel"
ALaRV-05 "Merlin"
ALaRV-06 "Hawk"
ALaRV-07 "Falcon"
ALaRV-08 "Buzzard"
ALaRV-09 "Goshawk"
ALaRV-10 "Eagle"
ALaRV-11 "Condor"
ALaRV-12 "Vulture"
ALaRV-13 "Sparrowhawk"
ALaRV-14 "Tercel"
ALaRV-15 "Griffon"
ALaRV-16 "Phoenix" (Symbolic final unit of the class)
CREDITS:
Acquabee ROV - ◁♠Gordo Figaro♤▶
Marine Radar 2x3 Display - SeaWeed
Midships Olsen Davit - Chris Olsen
