Serco Group’s largest ship the multi-purpose auxiliary vessel the SD Northern River spotted on our live webcam this afternoon inbound to HMNB Devonport and back from the Mediterranean.
SD Northern River was a support ship for #CSG25 Exercise Med Strike. @FOST deployed over 200 personnel for the exercise, which included Tier 2 training for the whole Carrier Strike Group, including synthetic targets.
Northern River’s duties involve target towing during naval training exercises, noise ranging and data gathering, as well as serving as a submarine escort.
In late 2024, Northern River reportedly replaced RFA Stirling Castle as command ship for mine countermeasures autonomous systems when the Stirling Castle was laid up for repair and inactive due to a serious manpower shortage in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
