Serco Marine Services

In 2006, the MoD awarded the "Future Provision of Marine Services" contract (a Private Finance Initiative) to the preferred bidders, Serco Denholm.

[7] In port and UK waters, Marine Services is primarily tasked with berthing and towage activities located at the three main naval bases; Devonport, Portsmouth and Clyde.

Out-of-port operations in UK waters include direct involvement in supporting diving and minelaying training exercises, as well as torpedo recovery.

[2] Serco Marine Services may undertake similar activities at British naval facilities overseas, which includes the maintenance of navigational marks (or buoys) and supporting military operations and training.

The Marine Services were also said to maintain a presence in certain overseas territories, including Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and the British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

[14] Since the disbandment of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, all vessels carry the ship prefix SD, and continue to do so since Denholm's share was bought out by Serco in late 2009.

[2] The Government Service Blue Ensign is worn since 2008 by the many ex-RMAS craft under the management of Serco Denholm which are Ministry of Defence-owned vessels.