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Introduction
James Fisher Defence was established in January 2005, bringing together the defence sector activities of James Fisher and Sons plc including those of James Fisher Rumic which was formed in 1984 and was acquired by James Fisher and Sons in 2002.
In recent years the company has increased the scope of its activities and is actively marketing submarine rescue hardware and services to overseas navies globally.
Our History - A Timeline
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2011 URF Lifetime Extension JFD is awarded a £11m contract to deliver a 12 year Lifetime Extension to the Swedish Navy’s Submarine Rescue Submersible, URF.
2010/11 Calm Buoy In 2010/11 JFD carried out the recovery of a 175T mooring buoy, four anchors and 5km of chain in a contract for the MoD. Read More >
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2010 Special Operations Business Unit Launches JFD Special Operations business unit is formed to promote the application of our expertise in manned underwater submersible and operations to the Special Operations Market. Read More >
2010 IFE JFD’s Inflatable Freeboard Extender undergoes trials on Rubis Class submarine. Read More >
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2009 JFSRS Mobilisation and Singapore
Service DeliveryJFD mobilise a complete submarine rescue system by air during the relocation of the JFSRS from Renfrew to the new base in Henderson, Western Australia.
JFD delivers a complete rescue system, including mothership, SRV, and rescue payload, to the Republic of Singapore Navy, as part of a 20-year contract for capability, as part of a 50:50 joint venture with our partner Singapore Technology Marine. Read More > -
2008 UKSRS Acquisition and DSAR-5 Delivery JFD acquires the assets of the UKSRS and agrees a contract with the Royal Australian Navy for the provision of the James Fisher Submarine Rescue Service.
JFD delivers DSAR-5, a first-in-class Submarine Rescue vehicle to the Republic of Korea Navy. The DSAR class, weighing just 22.5 tonnes, is the first SRV to feature Lithium Polymer battery technology, and an integrated skirt. -
2006 James Fisher Defence and NATO Operations Support James Fisher Rumic becomes James Fisher Defence and Roger Chapman becomes Vice Chairman.
JFD begins providing operational support to the NATO Submarine Rescue System. -
2005 AS-28 Priz Rescue James Fisher Rumic mobilises the SC45 ROV to Kamchatka, on the east cost of Russia, in response to the entrapment of the AS-28 Priz submersible. With less than 6-hours of life-support remaining, the Priz and her crew were cut free of the fishing nets which entangled them and returned to the surface unharmed.
The second phase of LR5’s total rebuild is delivered, revealing the vehicle the world knows as LR5. Read More > -
2002 JF Acquisition of Rumic James Fisher & Sons plc purchase Rumic Ltd, creating James Fisher Rumic.
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2000 K-141 Kursk Mobilisation Rumic responds to the sinking of the Russian Submarine Kursk on behalf of the Royal Navy, by mobilising the UKSRS assets and personnel by Antonov AN-124 to the MOSHIP Normand Pioneer in Norway.
Rumic is awarded a contract to perform the first part of the total re-build of LR5 , allowing her to accommodate 16 rescuees and 3 personnel. Transfer Under Pressure operations were now able to be performed with LR5's rescue compartment. -
1997 - LR5 Hull Redesign Rumic produce the feasibility studies for the total re-build of LR5 to a fully HY-80 steel hull. The new all HY-80 hull of LR5 would provide a Transfer Under Pressure capability, for the first time.
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1984-1996 - LR5 Upgrade Programme 1984 through 1996, Rumic progressively modifies and upgrades LR5 to convert her from a diver-lockout submersible to her new role as a submarine rescue vessel.
The UKSRS progressively evolves to provide ever increasing capability and self-reliance. -
1983 - Rumic Awarded UKSRS Rumic founded by Roger Chapman to provide underwater operations services to both the Offshore and Defence industries. Rumic is awarded the contract to operate the UK Submarine Rescue Service (UKSRS).
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1978 - LR5 Enters Service The original LR5 diver lock-out submersible is designed and manufactured by Vickers-Slingsby as a diver lockout submersible for use in the offshore industry. The hull was manufactured from GRP and the vehicle could accommodate 7 personnel..
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1973 -Pisces III Rescue Roger Chapman & Roger Mallinson are rescued from a depth of 480m below the Irish Sea, having sunk in an accident in the Pisces III submersible.
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1960s and '70s - North Sea Activities Significant increase in North Sea hydrocarbon extraction, and rapid progress in diving and sub-sea related technology, helps to shape the UK Navy's policy for the development of a Submarine Escape & Rescue capability.
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1847 - James Fisher & Sons James Fisher & Sons founded in Barrow-in-Furness.
Corporate Structure
James Fisher Marine Services Limited incorporates James Fisher Defence, responsible for the delivery of all defence services including, Submarine Rescue Services, expertise and rescue equipment into the international defence market. James Fisher Marine Services, and subsequently James Fisher Defence, is a part of James Fisher & Sons Plc.
James Fisher & Sons plc
The James Fisher Group is a publicly listed British company and has operated a varied fleet of vessels, latterly focusing on coastal tankships, heavy lift Roll On-Roll Off vessels, nuclear fuel carriers, cable-ships, and a dive support vessel.
The James Fisher Group has steadily increased its range of marine services which provides building on the experience and expertise gained through 160 years of operating in the marine environment successfully making the transition from ship owner to a provider of marine and specialist technical services of the highest quality.
Key to this has been the growth in our Submarine Rescue Services.
The James Fisher Group retains its Head Offices in Barrow-in-Furness and also maintains an office in London.
The group consists of four divisions as follows:
- Marine Oil Services
- Offshore Oil Services
- Specialist Technical Services
- Marine Services (inc. Defence)
Contact details for James Fisher & Sons plc
Head Office
Fisher House
PO Box 4
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria
LA14 1HR
UK
www.james-fisher.co.uk
Phone: 01229 615400
UK Fax: 01229 836761
Int'l Phone: 0044 1229 615 400
Int'l Fax: 0044 1229 836 761
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