River class patrol vessel
The 'River' class is the latest class of Offshore Patrol Vessels in the Royal Navy, replacing the 'Island' class. The three ships, HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Severn, are all significantly bigger than the vessels they have replaced, and are all more capable - this has allowed the Navy to commission three units to replace six. The ships are 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.
The three ships are not owned directly by the Royal Navy. Instead they were constructed under an arrangement with the shipbuilder, Vosper Thorneycroft, 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.
| River-class patrol vessel
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Mersey | Severn | Tyne
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List of patrol vessels of the Royal Navy
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