One of the Royal Navy's newest ships is about to set sail from her Plymouth home port.

The Survey Vessel HMS Echo is to leave Devonport Naval Base for the Gulf, where she will gather hydrographic data as part of the United Kingdom's continued support to the region.

Staff on board HMS Echo will update admiralty charts for the area, which has not been surveyed to modern standards for many years.

HMS Echo is fitted with the latest integrated survey systems along with advanced navigation and communications equipment.

She carries a 9.5 metre survey motor boat named Pathfinder which is fitted with its own multi-beam echo sounder and side scan sonar.

The ship is not scheduled to return to Devonport until next year. HMS Echo has a ship's company of 72, of which around 48 are on deployment at any one time.

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