HMS Roebuck (H130) is a coastal survey vessel originally constructed for the Royal Navy by Brooke Marine at Lowestoft, Suffolk. Launched on 14 November 1985 and completed in August 1986, she features twin screw propulsion powered by two eight-cylinder Mirrlees Blackstone diesel engines, enabling reliable maneuverability and operational flexibility. As a traditional survey ship, she was equipped with a comprehensive suite of hydrographic sensors and carried a survey motor boat for inshore work, making her well-suited for detailed maritime surveying tasks. Initially designed for surveying along the UK continental shelf, Roebuck was later upgraded to operate in more demanding environments, reflecting her enhanced capabilities. She served as a support vessel for mine warfare operations and was notable for her versatility within the Royal Navy’s survey squadron. Despite plans for decommissioning in 2003 with the advent of the newer Echo class, she remained active until 2010, with her decommissioning formalized on 15 April 2010. Her last commanding officer was Lieutenant-Commander Richard Bird. Roebuck’s operational history includes significant roles such as being the first RN vessel into Umm Qasr Port after the Second Gulf War, where her work facilitated closer coalition naval operations and improved logistical efficiency during landings. She also participated in missions across the Mediterranean and East Africa, and served as the command platform for NATO’s minehunting group SNMCMG1 in 2008. Her refit in 2005 extended her service life, enabling continued deployment and operational readiness. In 2010, she was sold to the Bangladesh Navy for £5 million and was officially handed over on 28 May. Renamed BNS Anushandhan, she became Bangladesh’s first dedicated hydrographic survey ship, equipped with advanced sensors including a shallow-water multibeam echo-sounder. Her mission now focuses on maintaining navigability, delimiting maritime boundaries, and supporting marine research and resource extraction, thereby playing a vital role in Bangladesh’s maritime security and environmental management.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.