Ship Fact-Files No.3: Offshore Patrol Vessels of the Royal Navy in 2005

[Bernard Woolley]

Ship Fact-Files No.3

[Bernard Woolley]

Introduction
Offshore Patrol Vessels are not, perhaps, the most glamorous ships in the Royal Navy, but they fulfil a vital role. Carrying out tasks that larger escorts are unsuitable for. OPV were often out in bad weather carrying out sovereignty patrols, fisheries protection, counter-smuggling, SAR, EEZ management and antipollution duties to name a few. They also provided an early opportunity for command for officers of lieutenant and lieutenant-commander ranks. In wartime OPV were too lightly armed to face serious opposition, they were instead used for maritime security, command of MCMV forces, and shepherded coastal convoys in low-threat areas.


OPV1: The Island Class.
The Royal Navy's Island Class had their origin in two almost identical vessels built for the then Scottish Fisheries Protection Service, FPV Jura and FPV Westra. Built on trawler lines, both vessels were excellent sea boats and could stand up to the sort of conditions experienced in the North Sea and North Atlantic very well. With recently experience of the three Cod Wars, the Royal Navy had a requirement for a tough, rugged and relatively cheap to operate OPV. The first vessel was loaned to the RN for evaluation, becoming HMS Jura (P296). The success of the evaluation led to the Royal Navy building seven very similar ships. The Island Class were 1,280 tons (full load), and 59m by 11m, with a top speed of 16 knots. There was some criticism of what was perceived as a low top speed, however, when the ships entered service, there were very few fishing vessels operating in British waters that could go any faster. The class had a decent communications and sensor fit, including a Kelvin Hughes Type 1006 radar and Simrad RU sidescan sonar. Armament wise, the class had a Bofors 40mm L60 Mark III (some ships would later receive a 30mm DS30B gun) and at least two GPMG.

The Island Class would spend their careers patrolling the Atlantic fishing grounds, in conjunction with their SFPS sisters. They would also secure the oil and gas fields in the North Sea. However, by the 1990 they were in need of replacement and most would be decommissioned and sold by 2005. However, three vessels, HMS Anglesey (P277), HMS Shetland (P298) and HMS Orkney (P299) were retained and refitted for a new role. Soviet and Warsaw Pact 'trawlers' (aka AGI) had long been the bane of any NATO exercise, or RN deployment in home waters. They were usually marked by a patrol vessel of some kind, HMS Sentinel (P246) often 'marking' those found off Northern Ireland. Someone in the RN came up with the idea of deploying their own 'mini' AGI that could monitor what the 'trawlers' were up to. They also had the idea that the 'mini' AGI could record any communications the Soviet vessels made and rebroadcast it to them, in the hope of causing confusion. The three remaining Island vessels were chosen for that role, the refit gave them a more powerful diesel engine for power generation purposes, plus a relatively simple ELINT/SIGINT fit. The new engine increased speed to 21 knots, though that dropped to 18 knots when the ships ELINT/SIGINT systems were operating. Soviet 'trawlers' soon found themselves being partnered by Island Class OPV, which would regularly broadcast their own radio messages back to them, and, or demanded that the 'trawlers' submit to inspection by Fisheries Officers. The Soviet Ambassador would regularly complain about 'harassment' of 'innocent' Soviet fishing vessels. The British response was that they took fisheries protection and conservation very seriously, and that they had a right to inspect any fishing vessel in their own waters. If the 'trawlers' were indeed fishing vessels, then there could be no complaint. The Soviets would soon withdraw the 'trawlers' and replace them with vessels that were pretty obviously AGI.

As of early 2005, the disposition of the Island Class was as follows:

FPV Jura (broken up in November 2001)
FPV Westra (laid up, awaiting sale)
Note: Westra was requisitioned by RN during the Transition To War and brought up to a similar standard as RN vessels. Was armed with a 30mm gun.

HMS Anglesey (P277) (ELINT/SIGINT vessel)
HMS Alderney (P278) (sold to Bangladesh Navy as BNS Karotoa)
HMS Jersey (P295) (sold to Bangladesh Navy as BNS Shaheed Ruhul Amin)
HMS Guernsey (P297) (sold to Bangladesh Navy as BNS Sangu)
HMS Shetland (P298) (ELINT/SIGINT vessel)
HMS Orkney (P299) (ELINT/SIGINT vessel)
HMS Lindisfarne (P300) (sold to Bangladesh Navy as BNS Turag)

Just before 0031 hours, 22nd April, Orkney was 'marking' a Soviet AGI that was shadowing operations by HMS Challenger (K07). It would be Orkney that would detect the radio signal that the Soviet ship used to detonate a mine aboard Challenger. Orkney ordered the AGI to halt and prepare to be boarded, which was ignored. While Orkney rendered aid to Challenger, HMS Forth (P222) pursued and sank the AGI.
With no more Soviet AGI to monitor, the three vessels had their ELINT/SIGINT equipment removed and reverted to being OPV. The vessels were used for a mix of maritime security duties, local patrols and coastal convoy escorts. They also helped to protect the fishing fleet in the North Atlantic.

OPV2: The Castle Class.
Developed as a response to criticisms of the limitations of the Island Class, the Castle Class, originally intended to be made up of six vessels, would be larger, more stable, faster and be fitted with a flight deck capable of taking a Sea King (though during the Falklands War a Chinook would land on Leeds Castle). In the end, only two vessels would be procured. The Class were 1,570 tons full load, and 75m by 11.51m, with a top speed of 20 knots. They had a good communications and sensor fit, having the same radar and sidescan sonar as their predecessors. Their armament was something of a saga; the intention had been to arm them with surplus L7 105mm guns taken from retired Centurion tanks, which had been judged as the most effective weapon (and cheapest, at £100,000 each) available. However, the naval staff felt that they could improve it, adding 90 degree elevation and power loading, increasing its cost to £6 million (!) each, turning it from the cheapest option to the most expensive. So, the two vessels were armed with the venerable Bofors 40mm L60 Mark III and at least two GPMG. Both ships would later be armed with a 30mm DS30B gun. The ships' primary role was to serve with the Fisheries Protection Squadron, protecting both the fishing fleet and oil and gas fields of the North Sea. They also had the capability to act as minelayers and had detergent spraying facilities for dispersing oil slicks.
After the Falklands War, during which both vessels had served as dispatch ships, one was kept in the islands long-term, serving as guard ship. Their crews would rotate every six months, with the ships swapping duties on a three yearly basis.
The Castle Class OPV would serve as the basis of the Type 25 corvette, or Castle II Class. Those vessels were longer and had more powerful engines, which were needed to provide a greater top speed, two a sonar array and power their electronics and weapons. In peacetime the Type 25s would carry out similar roles to their older half-sisters, but, their story is for another fact-file.

As of of early 2005, the disposition of the Castle Class was as follows:

HMS Leeds Castle (P258) (Falkland Islands Guardship)
HMS Dumbarton Castle (P265) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
(+4 proposed but not ordered)

As one of the few vessels in the Naval Service capable of laying mines, Dumbarton Castle was assigned to help lay defensive surface minefields, using what suitable mines were available. Once that task was complete, she was assigned to patrol duties off the west coast, though she was also used to escort coastal convoys. Leeds Castle's war was somewhat similar, although she did not lay any mines, carrying out patrol duties around the Falklands. One of her most important duties being dropping off troops from the garrison for patrols in more remote areas. Leeds Castle would also take part in the Search And Rescue efforts after the clash between the Chilean and Argentinean Navies. Their ability to land on helicopters as large as Sea Kings and Merlins proved to be useful, with them being used a refuelling platforms for helicopters on numerous occasions. In the medium term it was planned that the class would take over the ELINT/SIGINT role of the Island Class, allowing the remaining vessels of that class to be sold. In the longer term, ships of the Tyne Class Batch 3 were planned to replace the Castle Class.

OPV3 & OPV4: The unbuilt ships.
Intended to be a ten ship class follow-up to the Castle Class, the OPV3 was intended to be an enhanced OPV that could relieve frigates of routine, general duties, like APT(N). Described by the then VCNS as a “huntin' shootin', fishin' warship” designed to conduct low-level patrol duties worldwide. It would have a medium gun, CIWS, anti-ship missiles, countermeasures, a Lynx helicopter and a top speed of 21 knots. It was hoped that the ships would cost no more than £50 million each at 1983 prices. Three designs were proposed to meet the OPV3 requirement, Hall Russell submitted an enhanced version of the Castle Class, while Yarrows put forward an austere Type 23 and Vosper Thornycroft proposed a variant of their export corvette. Perhaps, unfortunately, no space could be found within the navy's budget to procure the planned ten OPV3. Perhaps, the class was a missed opportunity, as it would have reduced pressure on the frigate force. At least some of the work for OPV3 was not wasted, with the Type 25 corvette being based on Hall Russell's proposal. By the early 1990s it was clear that the Island Class were no longer fit for purpose and that the Castle Class would need replacement within the next decade. That led to the requirement for what would be called OPV4. It would have been larger than OPV1 and 2, but would have been similarly armed.

The Tyne Class.
The history of that class has been covered in a separate fact-file and is only covered here briefly. The class became more than a simple OPV, turning out as a capable, well-armed combatant.
In early 2005, the disposition of the Tyne Class was as follows:

Batch 1
HMS Tyne (P286) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
HMS Severn (P287) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
HMS Mersey (P288) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
Modified Batch 1
HMS Clyde (P257) (working up for Falklands deployment)
Batch 2
HMS Forth (P222) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
HMS Medway (P223) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
HMS Trent (P224) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
HMS Tay (P225) (Fisheries Protection Squadron)
HMS Tamar (P226) (fitting out)
Batch 3
HMS Spey (P227) (Under construction)
HMS Thames (P228) (Under construction)
HMS Tees (P229) (Under construction)
HMS Foyle (P230) (Ordered)


Other Royal Navy Patrol Vessels.
While the Offshore Patrol Vessels, the navy also possessed a number of other patrol vessels, generally used for coastal patrols, though not exclusively. Four members of the River Class minesweepers were used in the patrol role as part of the Northern Ireland Squadron. Hunt and Sandown Class MCMV were also occasionally used in the patrol and fisheries protection role in home waters. Even the Black Swan MCM(H) were rarely used for high-speed patrols.


Hong Kong Refugees: The Peacock Class.
The five vessels of that Class were originally procured in the 1980s to replace a similar number of modified Ton class MCMV, which were inadequate in the role. The heaviest armed RN patrol vessels until the Tynes entered service, the Peacock Class had a single OTO Melara 76mm/62cal gun, plus two GPMG. They were 712 tons full load, 62.6m by 10m, with a top speed of 25 knots, with the ability to manage 28 knots for short periods. Designed to stay at sea in a typhoon, they were excellent sea boats for their size, and were more than capable of dealing with any vessels used by local smugglers. Their armament meant that they could even, at a pinch, counter a frigate, or destroyer of the PLAN. However, come 1997 they would lose their reason for existing. Complicating matters was the fact that 75% of their cost had been paid for by the Hong Kong Government. Indeed, when two of the class had been sold to the Irish Naval Service in 1988, an appropriate percentage of the sale had been made to Hong Kong. If the RN wished to retain them, some sort of compensation would need to be paid.
With no immediate role for them in UK waters, the RN began to look for a navy in the Far East that might be interested in the remaining three ships. The Philippine Navy was, for example, approached and expressed a strong interest. However, Government of Gibraltar caught wind that the vessels were going to be sold and successfully lobbied for them to be assigned to protect 'The Rock'. Gibraltar even agreed to pay two-thirds of the compensation that would go the Government of Hong Kong. When the hand-over came, the three vessels of the class still based in Hong Kong would depart the Colony for Japan, where they would be loaded onto heavy-lift cargo ships, for transportation to Gibraltar. The RN was, as of 2005, exploring the possibility of arming the class with a lightweight SSM, the ship-launched variant of the Sea Skua being the favourite. Very soon after arriving at Gibraltar the class began to make its presence felt, patrolling the Strait and out into the Atlantic and Mediterranean. On her first patrol, Starling intercepted a speed-boat carrying contraband between North Africa and Gibraltar, while Plover 'marked' a small group of Soviet warships leaving the Mediterranean on her second patrol. On a small number of occasions the class encountered ships from the Spanish Navy, or the Guardia Civil, which had entered Gibratarian waters, escorting them out. In 2004, the two Irish Naval Service vessels visited Gibraltar and exercised with their British counterparts.
In early 2005, the disposition of the Peacock Class was as follows:

HMS Peacock (P239) (Gibraltar Squadron)
HMS Plover (P240) (Gibraltar Squadron)
HMS Starling (P241) (Gibraltar Squadron)
HMS Swallow (P242) (to Irish Naval Service as LÉ Ciara (P42) in 1988)
HMS Swift (P243) (to Irish Naval Service as LÉ Orla (P41) in 1988)

The Peacock Class' war was generally routine, though on 9th May, Starling did have to detain a Liberian freighter and escort it into Gibraltar. The ship had ignored radio messages and attempts to signal her to war that she was sailing right into a minefield. She only stopped after six illumination and two practise rounds were fired across her bows by 9.2inch guns on 'The Rock'.


Their second career: The Scimitar Class.
The two vessel Scimitar Class were two former 'Lifespan Patrol Vessel' used to patrol the inland waterways of Northern Ireland. With the signing of the 'Good Friday Agreement', the two vessels became redundant. They were acquired by the Royal Navy for the Gibraltar Squadron, releasing two Attacker Class vessels for the Cyprus Squadron. The two vessels were small, fast (32 knots) and lightly armed with a pair of stern-mounted GPMG.
In 2005 the disposition of the class was as follows:

HMS Scimitar (P284) (ex-MV Grey Fox) (Gibraltar Squadron)
HMS Sabre (P285) (ex-MV Grey Wolf) (Gibraltar Squadron)

Both vessels spent the war mounting inshore patrols in conjunction with the squadron's three Rigid Inflatable Boats.

A one ship class: HMS Sentinel.
The former MV Seaforth Warrior, Sentinel was a former North Sea Oil support ship, purchased along with two similar vessels (MV Seaforth Champion (HMS Guardian), MV Seaforth Saga (HMS Protector)) to act as patrol vessels off the Falkland Islands, in the aftermath of the 1982 war. The vessels gained a new communications fit, accommodation changes and were armed with two Bofors 40mm L60 guns. They soon proved to be inadequate to the conditions, but still managed to carry out sterling work supporting the garrison before being replaced. By the 1990s, only Sentinel remained in RN service, being used for target towing, submarine escort duties and 'marking' of Soviet vessels off Northern Ireland. She also took part in development work related to the SWIMS-B minesweeping system that would be fitted to similar vessels. In 2005, HMS Sentinel (P246) was based at HMNB Clyde. She would continue to carry out submarine escort duties after the outbreak of war, which would become her main role for the duration.

Students, FAC, Baltic deployments & port security: Attacker and Archer Classes.
While they were different classes, the Attacker and Archers did a very similar job, so it is best to consider them together. The four vessels of the Attacker Class were slightly larger and a knot faster than the Archer Class (also known as the P2000 class). Both classes were designed to serve as inshore patrol and fast training boats. They were initially used as training tenders for both the Royal Naval Reserve and University Royal Navy Units. Though, by 2005, their training role was mainly for the URNU, the RNR training aboard larger ships. Both classes were attached to the 1st Patrol Boat Squadron. While most of the craft were unarmed, the Attacker Class was designed to be armed with three Heavy Machine Guns, while the Archer Class was 'Fitted For but Not With' a 20mm Oerlikon on the fo'c'sle. In practise only vessels assigned to the Cyprus Squadron and Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron were armed in peacetime. Those vessels being armed with three GPMG and fitted with ballistic armour.
From the mid-1990s, the RN started to make more use of these small craft. They often participated in NATO exercises, simulating Fast Attack Craft. The craft assigned to URNU would also regularly deploy to the Baltic during the long summer holiday, taking their students to a number of friendly ports. The Baltic deployments were more than just training cruises for the URNU, they also took RN ships to places where they would not normally be seen.
In 2005 the disposition of both classes was as follows:

Attacker Class.
HMS Attacker (P281) (Cyprus Squadron)
HMS Chaser (P282) (Wales URNU)
HMS Fencer (P283) (Cyprus Squadron)
HMS Hunter (P278) (Yorkshire Universities URNU)
HMS Striker (P263) (Cyprus Squadron)

Archer Class.
HMS Archer (P264) (East Scotland URNU)
HMS Biter (P270) (Manchester & Salford URNU)
HMS Smiter (P272) (Oxford URNU)
HMS Pursuer (P273) (Glasgow URNU)
HMS Blazer (P297) (Southampton URNU & Portsmouth URNU)
HMS Dasher (P280) (Bristol URNU)
HMS Puncher (P291) (London URNU)
HMS Charger (P292) (Liverpool URNU)
HMS Ranger (P293) (Sussex & Brighton Universities' URNU)
HMS Trumpeter (P294) (Cambridge URNU)
HMS Tracker (P274) (Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron)
HMS Raider (P275) (Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron)

During the Transition To War the boats assigned to URNU were deployed as inshore patrol boats, providing port security. All gained at least one GPMG and crews were issued small arms. As the war progressed, the boats gained more weapons, for example the Attacker Class based at Cyprus gained a single Browning HMG in place of one of their GPMGs, and several Archer Class were fitted with a 20mm Oerlikon on the fo'c'sle. All vessels would eventually gain ballistic armour. But not before HMS Blazer was damaged in a successful engagement with what was believed to be a Naval Spetsnaz unit.


Conclusion
As observed, the Offshore Patrol Vessel was not amongst the more glamorous vessels in the Royal Navy. When the public thought of the navy, their thoughts generally went to aircraft carriers, submarines, or destroyers. Yet, they were more likely to see an OPV, as they regularly visited smaller ports as part of their duties. OPV even occasionally made it quite far inland when visiting some ports. [1]
RN OPV often did jobs that would be carried out by coast guards, or other maritime law enforcement organisations in other countries (e.g. the US Coast Guard and Gendarmerie maritime). Indeed, regular proposals had been made that a UK equivalent of these organisations should be formed to carry out tasks that it was felt were no business of the navy. On the other hand, the OPV fleet was a very useful asset to the navy in both peace and wartime. Losing it would have meant a loss of opportunities for junior officers to have an early command and give Other Ranks experience in smaller vessels. It would also have removed the experience of patrolling and dealing with civilian vessels from the wider navy. Indeed, rather than hive off the OPV force into a separate organisation, the Royal Navy has decided to make more of these small vessels. The Tyne Class being built as small combatants with a wider war-fighting roles than simple patrol vessels. These more heavily armed vessels aside, the traditional OPV of the Island and Castle Classes did on a number of occasions engage enemy forces attempting to attack British ports. They would gain battle honours just as their larger sisters in the rest of the navy did.

***

[1] The author once saw an Island Class in Perth Harbour. That harbour is around 45km from the North Sea, as 'the crow flies'.

[Bernard Woolley]

Accompanying Pictures