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HMS Tracker (P274)
Organisation / Units & Squadrons

HMS Tracker (P274)

HMS Tracker (P274) is one of 16 Archer-class patrol vessels assigned to the Coastal Forces Squadron, providing maritime security and operations within Europe’s coastal waters. Together with her sister ship HMS RAIDER (P275), she provides reassurance and protection in and around HMNB Clyde.

Role

HMS Tracker (P275) is part of Coastal Forces Squadron (North), based in HMNB Clyde. The ship, operated by a team of 7 sailors, primarily contributes to the delivery of Force Protection for surfaced submarines transiting to and from HMNB Clyde, outside of navigation training, weapons training, and conducting regional engagement.

Capability

HMS Tracker and sister-ship Raider form our Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron (FPBS). They provide Force Protection in and around the Firth of Clyde, and supporting our mission to safeguard shipping in UK waters.

These ships are small but mighty, with a ship’s company (crew) of seven people each.

HMS Tracker is a fully-fledged armed patrol boat. She is fitted with Kevlar armour to keep her crew safe, and is well-armed with three 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG).

Archer class

Crew

Led by Lieutenant Thomas Reed, HMS Tracker provides an essential supporting role to both UK and foreign shipping in and around the Firth of Clyde. That includes:

  • 24/7/365 patrol cover
  • Acting as a training platform for specialisations from navigation training to gunnery training
  • Wider regional engagement in support other local events
  • Being prepared to provide force protection using GPMGs and SA80 weapons

Unit history

1943

First HMS Tracker

The first HMS Tracker was an Attacker-class escort carrier built in the USA and completed in 1943.
1943

World War II

Saw extensive action with the Western Approach Command covering Atlantic, Mediterranean and Russian convoys. She sank U288 and was later on anti U-boat patrols.
1944

D-Day

Provided air cover during the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944 and finished her time with the US Navy as a ferry carrier in the Pacific until the end of hostilities.
1952

Second HMS Tracker

The second HMS Tracker was one of the Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs), but acted as the hospital ship for the first British atomic bomb test.
1998

Today’s HMS Tracker

The present HMS Tracker is a glass reinforced plastic Archer Class Fast Patrol Boat. She was commissioned alongside her sister ship HMS Raider in 1998.
2013

Replaces old guard

Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron exchanged their two P2000 vessels – HMS Dasher and Pursuer – for Her Majesty’s Ships Raider and Tracker.
2014

Olympic security duty

HMS Tracker joined HMS Puncher, Blazer, Express, Raider and Exploit to provide security for the Olympics and Paralympics in London and Weymouth.
2014

Unit exchange with the US Coastguard

The Patrol Boat Squadron traveled to the US Naval Base in Kings Bay, Georgia to learn from US counterparts.
2017

Loch Ness rescue exercise

HMS Tracker traversed one of Scotland's most iconic waterways as part of a three-week deployment to hone search and rescue skills with RNLI.

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