HMS Mersey (P283)

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Mersey.
HMS Mersey, 2009
Career (UK)
Name: HMS Mersey
Operator: Royal Navy
Ordered: April 2001
Builder: Vosper Thornycroft
Launched: 14 June 2003
Sponsored by: Mrs Jennie Reeve
Commissioned: 28 November 2003
Homeport: HMNB Portsmouth
Identification: Pennant number: P283
Status: in active service, as of 2015
General characteristics
Class and type:River-class patrol vessel
Displacement:1,700 tonnes[1]
Length:79.5 metres
Beam:13.6 metres
Draught:3.8 metres
Installed power:4,125 kW (5,532 hp) at 1,000 rpm
Propulsion:
  • 2 × Ruston 12RK 270 diesel engines
Speed:20 kn (37 km/h)
Range:7,800 nautical miles (14,400 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Boats and landing
craft carried:
  • 2 × rigid inflatable boats
Complement:30 (accommodation for up to 50)
Armament:

The fifth and current HMS Mersey is a River-class offshore patrol vessel of the British Royal Navy. Named after the River Mersey, the ship is the first to bear the name in 84 years.

She was built by Vosper Thornycroft in Southampton to serve as fishery protection units within the United Kingdom's waters along with her two sister ships Tyne and Severn. All three were commissioned into service in 2003 to replace the five older Island-class patrol vessels. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 28 November 2003. At that time, Mersey was not expected to commence duties until February 2004.

Mersey was the last Royal Navy ship to be launched from Vosper Thornycroft at its Woolston shipyard; Jennie Reeve, wife of Rear-Admiral Jonathon Reeve, Chief of Fleet Support, was the ship's sponsor. The first ship launched at the yard was the Tribal-class destroyer Tartar on 25 June 1907.[2]

Mersey departing from Portsmouth Naval Base 12 November 2008

Affiliations

References

  1. ↑ BAE Systems Offshore Patrol Vessels, baesystems.com, Retried 8 June 2014
  2. ↑ HMS Mersey to be final RN ship launched from Woolston

External links