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 is also to be built for the Royal Navy, replacing the Castle class. They are primarily used in the fisheries protection role.
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Design
The three ships, HMS Tyne (P282) commissioned July, 2003, HMS Mersey (P283) commissioned December, 2003 and HMS Severn (P281) commissioned June, 2003, are significantly larger than the 'Island's, 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.
Specifications
Displacement: 1,677 tons.
Dimensions: 79.5 x 13.6 x 3.8 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1 shaft, 20 knots max.
Crew: 30
Armament: 1 x 20mm Gun
Ownership
The three ships are not owned directly by the Royal Navy. Instead they were constructed under an arrangement with the shipbuilder, Vosper Thorneycroft, 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.
New Ship
A modified vessel, HMS Clyde is under construction at the Portsmouth Dockyard, to replace the two vessels of the 'Castle' class in the Falkland Islands.
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