River class patrol vessel
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The River class is a class of three offshore patrol vessels in the Royal Navy, replacing the six ships of the Island class. A single, modified vessel based on the River class has also been built for the Royal Navy, replacing the Castle class, for duties in the Falklands. They are primarily used in the fisheries protection role.
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[edit] Design
The three ships, HMS Tyne (P281) commissioned July 2003, HMS Mersey (P283) commissioned December 2003 and HMS Severn (P282) commissioned June 2003, are significantly larger than the Island class vessels, and in addition to all of their other features, have a large open deck aft, which allows the ships to be fitted with specific equipment for a specific role, which can include fire-fighting, disaster relief and anti-pollution work. For this purpose, a 25 tonne capacity crane is fitted. In addition, the deck is strong enough for the transport of various tracked and wheeled light vehicles, or an LCVP. The deck can also be used as a landing pad for light/medium helicopters, a capability that these vessels share with the Castle class.
[edit] Specifications
- Displacement: 1,677 tonnes
- Dimensions: 79.5 x 13.6 x 3.8 metres
- Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1 shaft, 20 knots maximum
- Crew: 30, accomodation for 20 more
- Armament: 1 x 20mm Gun, 2 x General Purpose Machine Gun
- Boats: 2 x Rigid Inflatable Boats
[edit] Ownership
The three ships are not owned directly by the Royal Navy. Instead they were constructed under an arrangement with the shipbuilder, Vosper Thornycroft, which sees the Navy charter the vessels from the shipbuilder, with the shipbuilder responsible for all maintenance and support for the ships during the period of the charter. At the end of this period, the Navy can either return the ships, renew the lease or purchase them outright.
[edit] Modified River class
A modified vessel, HMS Clyde, constructed at Portsmouth Dockyard, is to replace the two vessels of the Castle class for duties in the Falkland Islands. This ship displaces 1,850 tonnes and has a 30mm gun.
| River-class patrol vessel |
| List of patrol vessels of the Royal Navy |
