HMS Puncher (P291)

HMS Puncher is an Archer-class patrol vessel of the Royal Navy.[1][2] She is permanently based at HMNB Portsmouth and forms part of the First Patrol Boat Squadron (1PBS). Puncher is primarily tasked with training the officer cadets and midshipmen of the University of London's University Royal Naval Unit (London URNU). She also provides a training platform for young officers undertaking training during the Royal Navy's initial warfare officers' course, and has also been used in the coastal protection role, most notably during Operation Olympic, the security operation surrounding the London 2012 Olympic Games.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Puncher.

HMS Puncher at Portsmouth, 2008
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Puncher
Operator: Royal Navy
Builder: Vosper Thornycroft
Completed: 1988
Homeport: HMNB Portsmouth
Identification:
Motto: "Never give in"
Nickname(s): "The Mighty Puncher"
Honours and
awards:		 Battle of the Atlantic
Status: In active service
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Archer-class patrol vessel
Displacement: 54 tonnes
Length: 20.8 m (68 ft)
Beam: 5.8 m (19 ft)
Draught: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Propulsion: 2 shafts, Rolls Royce M800T diesels, 1,590 bhp
Speed:
  • 14 kn (26 km/h)
  • 45 kn (83 km/h) (Hull design, but limited due to engine fitted)
Range: 550 nmi (1,020 km)
Complement:
  • 18 (training)[N 1]
  • 12 (operational)
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Decca 1216 navigation radar
Armament:

Deployments

Puncher operates from HMNB Portsmouth conducting navigation training in and around the Solent. She also regularly deploys out of area, often in the company of other P2000s, with the task of providing practical navigation and seamanship training to the ship's students. Recent deployments have included the Baltic and Northern Europe. Puncher attended Kieler Woche ("Kiel Week") in 2011 with her sister ship Express and ships from several navies.

Ship's company

Puncher has a permanent crew of five regular Royal Navy personnel, one officer and four ratings, who fulfil the minimum necessary seagoing complement of the vessel. The ship's company is also regularly boosted by up to 12 (more typically 10) URNU officer cadets and midshipmen who are normally accompanied by a Royal Naval Reserve training officer. Alternately the berths may be used by any other personnel who are required to live aboard.

Affiliations

Like most Royal Navy ships, Puncher is affiliated with various organisations and a port:[3]

Notes
  1. 5 ship's company, 1 training officer, 12 URNU students.
  2. When operational and not in URNU role.

References
  1. "Patrol Boats – Archer class". Royal Navy. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. "Archer Class P2000 (URNU)". Armed Forces.net. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  3. "HMS Puncher - Affiliations". Royal Navy. Retrieved 8 March 2019.


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