View source for HMS Archer (P264)

{{other ships|HMS Archer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
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{{Infobox Ship Image
|Ship image=HMS Archer MOD 45151333.jpg
|Ship caption=HMS ''Archer'', 2010
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|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|UK|naval}}
|Ship name=HMS ''Archer'' 
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|Ship builder=Watercraft Marine
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|Ship launched=25 June 1985
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|Ship homeport=Leith
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|Ship identification=*{{MMSI Number|232002840}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: GAAQ
*[[Pennant number]]: P264
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|Ship status= In active service
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship class={{sclass-|Archer|patrol vessel}}
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement=54 tonnes
|Ship length={{convert|20.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|5.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}
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|Ship draught={{convert|1.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}
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*2 shafts, Cat C18 ACERT diesels
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*{{convert|20|kn|km/h|lk=in}}
*{{convert|45|kn|km/h}} (Hull design, but limited due to engine fitted)
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*{{convert|550|nmi|km|-1|abbr=on}}
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*16 (training){{#tag:ref|5 ship's company, 1 training officer, 10 URNU students.|group=N}}
*5 (operational)
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*[[Decca Radar|Decca]] 1216 navigation radar
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|Ship armament=
*1 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]] on [[forecastle|fo'c'sle]] ("[[for but not with]]") 
*3 × [[FN MAG|General purpose machine guns]]{{#tag:ref|When operational and not in URNU role.|group=N}}
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'''HMS ''Archer''''' is the [[lead ship]] of the {{sclass-|Archer|patrol vessel|4}}. As the lead ship she was one of several of her class to be completed in 1985 by Watercraft Marine, the original shipbuilders — most of the remaining vessels were completed or built by [[Vosper Thornycroft]]. In 2015, she was one of the first of her class to receive an upgrade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/december/14/151214-archer-returns-to-the-water |title=HMS ''Archer'' returns to the water after capability boost |date=14 December 2015 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

==Operational history==
===Early service===
The ''Archer'' class were built as [[Royal Naval Reserve]] (RNR) training vessels, but after limited use they were transferred to [[University Royal Naval Unit|URNU]] service.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-equipment/ships/patrol-and-mine-hunters/fast-patrol-boats |title=Patrol Boats – Archer class |website=Royal Navy |access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armedforces.co.uk/navy/listings/l0022.html |title=Archer Class P2000 (URNU) |website=Armed Forces.net |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

===URNU service===
''Archer'' became the training ship of the Aberdeen URNU in 1991, succeeding ''Chaser''. Between 1991 and 1993 she was commanded by Lieutenant [[John Clink]] who subsequently achieved flag rank. The role of a training ship within an URNU is to provide opportunities for students to receive practical training and gain experience afloat. ''Archer''{{'}}s programme is generally divided into two durations of training – a weekend or the longer deployments that take place during the university Easter and summer holidays.

Deployments in the Easter and summer holidays venture further afield, ''Archer'' has visited ports from the [[Western Isles]] and east coast of Britain to the [[Republic of Ireland]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]] and the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]]. These longer deployments are often undertaken in company with other ships such as {{HMS|Example|P165|2}} and {{HMS|Explorer|P164|2}}.

The Aberdeen URNU operated from 1967 until 2012 before being moved to Edinburgh. In summer 2012, the ship was moved to [[Rosyth Dockyard]] to serve with [[Edinburgh]] URNU and to increase the presence of the RN in Edinburgh.

In June 2017, ''Archer'', in company with HM Ships {{HMS|Smiter|P272|2}}, {{HMS|Ranger|P293|2}} and {{HMS|Exploit|P167|2}}, deployed to the Baltic to take part in the [[NATO]] BALTOPS exercise, the first time that Royal Navy P2000s have been involved in such an exercise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/june/30/170630-1st-patrol-boat-squadron-baltops-endeavour |title=1st Patrol Boat Squadron's Baltops endeavour |date=30 June 2017 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>

===Crew composition===
''Archer'' is permanently crewed by five RN personnel, and is captained by a [[Lieutenant (navy)|lieutenant]]. [[Chief petty officer]] fills the role of executive officer and a Petty Officer is the marine engineering officer, and the yeoman and Deputy Marine engineering officer are junior [[Naval rating|rates]] of the appropriate service branches. With students embarked (up to a maximum of 10), a training officer is usually present who is typically a RNR lieutenant or [[sub-lieutenant]].

==Affiliates==
* {{HMS|Vanguard|S28|6}}
* Stonehaven SCC TS Carron<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/patrol-vessels/p2000-class-urnu/hms-archer-aberdeen/affiliations/ |title=HMS Archer (Aberdeen) – URNU Affiliations |website=Royal Navy |access-date=7 March 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807030824/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/surface-fleet/patrol-vessels/p2000-class-urnu/hms-archer-aberdeen/affiliations/ |archive-date=7 August 2009}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=N}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|HMS Archer (P264)}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/patrol/archer-class/hms-archer |title=HMS ''Archer'' |website=Royal Navy}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.eurnu.org.uk |title=Edinburgh URNU |website=Edinburgh Universities Royal Naval Unit}}
*{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8617571.stm |title=Ageing training ship HMS ''Archer'' faces navy review |first=Kevin |last=Keane |date=15 April 2010 |website=BBC News}}

{{Archer class patrol vessel}}
{{Royal Navy ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Archer}}
[[Category:Archer-class patrol vessels]]
[[Category:1985 ships]]