HMS Mersey
HMS Mersey is the youngest of the original batch of River- class patrol vessels built for the Fishery Protection Squadron – the oldest unit in the Royal Navy. We patrol the waters of the UK and up to 200 miles in the Atlantic ensuring that fishing boats and trawlers stick to internationally-agreed quotas. The ship has just completed a maintenance period which will allow her to be at sea for a minimum of 320 days a year. Mersey was the last ship to be built at Vosper Thornycroft yard in Woolston, Southampton. Mersey like her sister ships is not owned by the RN, she is in fact leased by BAE who retain the responsibility for any major maintenance and upkeep. The ship is a regular visitor to UK ports and often hosts organised groups to show what the Royal Navy is about. We operate a crew rotation system which means that a member of the ship’s company would normally spend four weeks onboard and two weeks ashore catching up on leave or on courses, allowing the ship herself to be on almost constant patrol.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Mark Anderson
- RANK:
- Lieutenant Commander
- JOINED:
- 1991
- SPECIALISATION:
- Warfare
- PREVIOUS UNITS:
- HMS Mersey
Military experience
Lieutenant Commander Anderson began his Naval career undertaking various training and Officer Of the Watch roles which lead to him being appointed as the Navigator of a Type 23 Frigate.
He then became Executive Officer of HMS Mersey before returning to the Frigate world as the Operations Officer onboard a Type 23.
He is an Anti-Submarine Specialist and has been the Officer in Charge of Underwater Training at the Maritime Warfare Centre.
Among the highlights of his career were putting his training to the test in the Gulf and waters off Iraq and his extensive travel throughout the Caribbean and Far East, most notably his time in Hong Kong.
His Hobbies include competitive fencing, skiing, piano and looking after a young family.
OPERATIONS
Operation Fishery Protection
CURRENT STATUS: active
River-class ships inspect fishing vessels operating up to 200 miles off the UK’s coastline. Their task is to enforce UK and EU regulations designed to preserve fish stocks for future generations. The Royal Navy operates on behalf of the Marine Management Organisation.
UNIT DIARY
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ABOUT THE UNIT
KEY STATISTICS
- Pennant
P283
- Displacement
1,700tonnes
- Complement
30personnel
- Length
79.8Metres
- Beam
13.6metres
- Draught
3.8metres
- Top Speed
20knots
- Range (nautical)
7,800miles
- Launch Date
2003
- Commissioned date
28/11/03

