BNS Shaibal

History
Bangladesh
Name	Shaibal
Builder	Richards Dry Dock and Engineering Limited
Launched	16 May 1984
Commissioned	27 April 1995
Status	In active service
General characteristics
Displacement	850 long tons (864 t) standard 890 long tons (904 t) full
Length	47 m (154 ft 2 in)
Beam	10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Draught	3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Propulsion	2 shafts, Ruston 6RKC diesels, 3,040 bhp (2,267 kW)
Speed	14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Complement	5 officers and 23 ratings (accommodation for 36: 7 officers and 29 ratings)
Armament	1 × Bofors 40 mm Mark III gun 2 × 7.62 mm L44A1 GPMGs
Notes	Pennant number: M 98

BNS Shaibal, formerly HMS Helford, is a River-class minesweeper of the Bangladeshi Navy. She is serving Bangladeshi Navy from 1995.

History

This ship served in Royal Navy as HMS Helford (M2006). She was commissioned on 7 June 1985. She was assigned to the Northern Ireland Division of Royal Naval Reserve. She was withdrawn from service in 1993. In 1995, she was sold to Bangladesh.

Career

BNS Shaibal was commissioned in Bangladesh Navy on 27 April 1995. She is currently being used as a patrol ship.

In March 1997, she was equipped with hydro-graphic survey equipments to serve as a survey vessel although mine countermeasure capability was retained.

Armament

The ship carries one Bofors 40 mm Mark III gun which can be used in both anti-surface and anti-air role. She also carries two L44A1 7.62 mm general purpose machine guns.

See also

• List of active ships of the Bangladesh Navy
• BNS Shapla
• BNS Shaikat
• BNS Surovi

Bibliography

• Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships 2004–2005. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2623-1.