HMS Smiter (P272)

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HMS Smiter on the Solent outward bound from Portsmouth Naval Base 17 June 2016.
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Smiter
OperatorRoyal Navy
BuilderWatercraft Marine
Laid down1985
Launched1985
Completed22 January 1986
Commissioned4 September 1986
HomeportHMNB Portsmouth
Motto"Strike hard and often"
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeArcher class patrol vessel
Displacement54 tonnes[1]
Length20.8 m
Beam5.8 m
Draught1.8 m
Propulsion2 shafts, Rolls Royce M800T diesels, 1,590 bhp
Speed
  • 14 kn (26 km/h)
  • 45 kn (83 km/h) (Hull design, but limited due to engine fitted)
Range550 nmi (1,020 km)
Complement
  • 18 (training)[N 1]
  • 12 (operational)
Sensors and
processing systems
Decca 1216 navigation radar
Armament

HMS Smiter is an Archer-class patrol and training vessel of the British Royal Navy.

Service history

On being accepted into service, she initially served with the Clyde Division of the Royal Naval Reserve until 11 October 1990. She then transferred to the University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) of Glasgow. In September 2012 she became the training vessel Oxford University Royal Naval Unit . She replaced HMS Tracker in this role, which transferred to the Faslane Force Protection Squadron.

The Oxford University Royal Naval Unit is one of 14 URNUs supporting the countries' leading Universities in England, Wales and Scotland. The organisation's Mission is to "educate a wide spectrum of high calibre undergraduates who show potential as society's future leaders and opinion formers in order to better inform them of the need for and role of the Royal Navy, and to develop awareness of career opportunities in the Service."

Students from the URNU get the chance to deploy on sea weekends or sea days aboard the ship, where they learn how to handle and navigate the vessel under the instruction of the permanent RN crew of five. The ship also goes on twice yearly deployments, at Easter and in the summer.

Notes

  1. ^ 5 ship's company, 1 training officer, 12 URNU students.
  2. ^ When operational and not in URNU role.

References

  1. ^ Royal Navy - Patrol Boats - Archer class, royalnavy.mod.uk, Retrieved 14 June 2014

External links