Dates: 1974 - 2001

HMS Herald was the last A-class ocean survey ship in Service with the RN, and is a veteran of both the Falklands War and Gulf War. Herald been replaced by two new survey vessels, HMS Echo (H87) and HMS Enterprise (H88). Herald was paid off on 12 April 2001 and decommissioned on 31 May 2001. Herald was built by Robb Caledon Shipbuilders in Leith, Scotland.

In December 2000, Herald answered a Mayday call and took part in a joint operation with the RAF to rescue the crew of the Cypriot ferry Royal Prince. The 35-metre ship sank in rough seas, but the crew were plucked to safety and taken to HMS Herald by an RAF helicopter from RAF Akrotiri.

After de-commissioning, Herald joined her sister HMS Hecla (A133) in Waterford after a brief re-fit in Cork dockyard. She was renamed "Somerville" after Admiral Somerville and was used for a hydrographic survey in Irish waters.

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