| 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. 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'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 tonnes Dimensions: 79.5 x 13.6 x 3.8 metres Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1 shaft, 20 Knot s 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 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. NEW SHIP A modified vessel, HMS ''Clyde'' is under construction at Portsmouth Dockyard, to replace the two vessels of the Castle-class in the Falkland Islands . This ship will displace 1,850 tonnes and will have a 30mm gun. |
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