River-class patrol vessel

VT Group Portsmouth

From 2003

1677 (1850) ts

79.5 ( 81.5 ) m

13.6 m

3.80 m

40 (36 ) Man ( plus max. 20)

2x Ruston 12RK 270 Diesel ( 4,125 kW at 1,000 1/min)

20 (21 ) kn

7,800 sm at 12 kn

The ships of the River - class offshore patrol boats ( engl. Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV )) of the British Royal Navy. According to the language of the British Navy they are officially referred to as Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV ). Replace the ships of the Iceland - class and Castle class from the 1970s.

History

2001 awarded by the Royal Navy contract to build three offshore patrol boats to the Vosper Thornycroft arms company (VT) in Southampton. This should replace the five smaller patrol boats of Iceland class. A special feature is that the units remaining after completion in possession of VT, and leased by the Navy. The contract has a term of five years. After the expiration of this time, the Navy may terminate him, extend or buy ships. The first of the three ships was established in June 2003, the HMS Tyne ( P281 ) entered service in July, HMS Severn ( P282 ), and finally in November the HMS Mersey ( P283 ). The purpose of the ships is to monitor the British territorial waters around the British Isles.

In February 2005, the Navy Vosper Thornycroft awarded the contract to build a fourth ship of this class. Compared to the ships of the first production run, HMS Clyde ( P284 ), however, have a greater displacement and heavier armament. It was put into service in January 2007 and will replace the two ships of the Castle class. Your task will be to monitor the territorial waters of the Falkland Islands. In contrast to the previous two patrol boats that must return every three years for maintenance and repair work to England, the HMS Clyde up to seven years will be no interruption in the South Atlantic in use.

Construction

All four ships are significantly larger than their predecessors. This allows both the accommodation of more extensive equipment as well as the storage of food and diesel for longer missions. The ships of the first production series have a so-called working deck at the stern. On this equipment can be installed and stored for different applications. So the ships can be equipped, for example, inserts for fire or oil spill response, disaster relief, first aid to casualties or transport light vehicles. In addition, the deck can be used to moderate helicopter landing. The HMS Clyde will have a larger deck and regularly carry a transport and surveillance helicopter type Merlin EH- 101. Each Corvette also has two dinghies.

Each ship is powered by two Ruston 12RK 270 turbo diesel engines that together produce a power output of 8250 kW. A bow thruster 280 kW increases the maneuverability of all four ships. The HMS Clyde also has a stern thruster 185 kW.

Specifications

Ships

The ships form the Fishery Protection Squadron, Fishery Protection Squadron, the oldest squadron, based in Portsmouth. The units support both the Defra and the subordinate authority for fisheries protection and maritime affairs.