HMS Tamar (P233)

HMS Tamar is a Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel of the Royal Navy. Named after the River Tamar in England, this is the seventh Royal Navy ship to be named Tamar.

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

HMS Tamar
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Tamar
Operator: Royal Navy
Ordered: 8 December 2016
Builder: BAE Systems Naval Ships
Laid down: 8 December 2016 (1st steel cut)
Launched: 10 October 2018
Sponsored by: Brigitte Peach
Christened: 21 March 2019
Commissioned: 17 December 2020
Homeport: HMNB Portsmouth
Identification: Pennant number: P233
Status: In Active Service
General characteristics
Class and type: Batch 2 River-class patrol vessel
Displacement: 2,000 tonnes
Length: 90.5 m (296 ft 11 in)[1]
Beam: 13 m (42 ft 8 in)
Draught: 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Speed: 24 kn (44 km/h)
Range: 5,500 nmi (10,200 km)
Endurance: 35 days
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 Two rigid inflatable boats
Capacity: 70
Complement: 34
Armament:
Aircraft carried: Merlin capable flight deck

She is the fourth Batch 2 River-class vessel to be built.[2]

Construction
Tamar during a visit to London in September 2020

On 6 November 2013 it was announced that the Royal Navy had signed an Agreement in Principle to build three new offshore patrol vessels, based on the River-class design, at a fixed price of £348 million including spares and support. In August 2014, BAE Systems signed the contract to build the ships on the Clyde in Scotland. The Ministry of Defence stated that the Batch 2 ships are capable of being used for constabulary duties such as "counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations". According to BAE Systems, the vessels are designed to deploy globally, conducting anti-piracy, counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling tasks currently conducted by frigates and destroyers. A £287m order, for two further ships, including Tamar, and support for all five Batch 2 ships, was announced on 8 December 2016.[3]

Tamar includes some 29 modifications and enhancements over the Amazonas-class corvette built by BAE Systems for the Brazilian Navy.[4]

Tamar was lowered into the water on 10 October 2018.[5] The vessel began operational sea trials in late 2019.[6][7] It was commissioned into service on Thursday 17 December 2020.

HMS Tamar sailing past Canary Wharf  as she leaves London September 2020.

References
  1. "Work begins on third Royal Navy Patrol Vessel". GOV.UK. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  2. "HMS TAMAR RAISES HER FLAG ON HER OWN RIVER". Royal Navy. River Tamar. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. de Larrinaga, Nicholas (9 December 2016). "UK orders two more River-class OPVs". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly.
  4. "Patrol Craft:Written question - 210211 - UK Parliament". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  5. "HMS Tamar is launched as HMS Medway gears up for maiden voyage". Royal Navy. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  6. "First RN personnel joins HMS Tamar". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  7. https://navaltoday.com/2019/11/27/hms-tamar-welcomes-first-crew-ahead-of-2020-delivery/

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