Babcock has provided this key service at Devonport Royal Dockyard since the 1970s. We are immensely proud of our facility, which is the only licensed site within the UK capable of handling nuclear fuel from a nuclear submarine, or docking nuclear submarines. Our ability to dock submarines allows a wide range of submarine maintenance to be carried both safely and efficiently.
We have over 2,000 highly qualified staff who have a significant input in either maintaining the docking facility, carrying out the docking evolutions, or working on the submarines whilst docked. In addition to our tradesmen, Engineers, Chemists, Riggers, Quality Assurance and Health and Safety teams, we offer excellent facilities to ensure you receive a first class service from the outset.
Core Service Features
Facility Management and Engineering Support providing the ability to Dry-Dock nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs and SSBNs), maintenance of facility, dry-dock and non-tidal basin berthing submarine cradle
- Shore Services
- Cranes Workshops
- Office space
- Stores
- Security
- Civil infrastructure
Provide SQEP Docking Co-ordinators
- Safe management and control of the docking evolution
- Stability calculations
- Weight Control
- Provision of all resources to undertake evolution from tugs, rigger, shipwrights, electricians etc.
Capable facility to support wide range of maintenance activities on docked submarines, for example:
- Nuclear refuelling/defuelling
- Shaft changes
- Tiling
- Tank painting
- Hull surveys & repairs & revalidation
- Mechanical system overhaul
- Electrical system overhaul
Key Customers
- MoD. Service provided at Devonport since nuclear submarines came into service
- Occasional fleet time support of non-UK submarines