Navy patrol boats heading to Wick
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FOUR Royal Navy patrol boats are to visit Wick next week as part of their summer deployment.
The ships – HMS Trumpeter, HMS Archer, HMS Explorer and HMS Example – support University Royal Naval Units (URNUs) and are spending a fortnight training on the east coast and in the north of Scotland.
On July 13 and 14, the P2000 Archer-class vessels will stop at Wick before continuing to Orkney, conducting training where they will practise their maritime skills.
Captain Chris Smith, naval regional commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “It is great to be able to bring the Royal Navy near to some of our smaller communities which, because of harbour size, don’t usually get a visit from our ships.
“The P2000s may be small but they pack a punch, and regularly exercise around the UK and Europe as well as supporting the fleet.
“Usually we would be hosting visits from local groups and organisations while alongside, but with the current situation this is unfortunately not possible. We hope to engage with local organisations across social media and using technology.”
Each of the vessels is affiliated to universities around the country and has a core crew of full-time Royal Navy sailors which in normal times would be augmented by members of the URNUs. While this is not possible due to the current restrictions, each vessel will use technology to have a weekly virtual drill night with their associated URNU.
At just over 20 metres long, the P2000s are some of the smallest ships in the fleet and are regarded as perfect for navigation and seamanship training. They can access smaller harbours which, because of their size, usually can’t host Royal Navy ships.
The Royal Navy has 14 fast inshore patrol craft which together form the Coastal Forces Squadron.
Although their primary role is to support the URNUs, two of them, HMS Tracker and HMS Raider, are permanently based at HMNB Clyde where they are part of the team safeguarding the nuclear fleet.
At the same time the four boats are undertaking their east coast deployment, three other ships – Biter, Charger and Express – will sail up the west coast.
