PATROL VESSELS

Patrol vessels are used for fishery protection and patrolling Britain's offshore gas and oilfield installations. In addition these useful ships can be used further afield, e.g. Castle class Castle class vessels have been used in the Falklands patrol role.

CASTLE CLASS

These ships were started as a private venture and ordered in August 1980. The design includes an ability to lay mines.

Inmarsat commercial communications terminals are fitted. Two Avon Sea Rider high-speed craft are embarked.

HMS Leeds Castle was ‘paid off’ in August 2005 leaving only one vessel of this class remaining.

RIVER CLASS

Vosper Thornycroft contracted in May 2001 for the construction, lease and support of four vessels over an initial five-year period to replace the ships of the Island Class (see previous entry).

Each vessel has a large working cargo deck that that allows the vessel to be equipped for a specific role such as disaster relief, anti-pollution, fire fighting, rescue work or interception of other vessels.

Standard containers can be handled using a fitted 25 ton crane.

Photos Crown Copyright