HMS Raider (P275) is an Archer classpatrol and training vessel of the BritishRoyal Navy, used to fulfil the sea-training syllabus of the Bristol University Royal Naval Unit (Bristol URNU). Based in Devonport, HMS Raider is used to conduct sea-training at weekends during term-time; travelling to ports on the south coast and on the continent. During the Easter and Summer vacations, HMS Raider is deployed for up to 6 weeks of sea time.
Bristol URNU
HMS Raider (formerly of Cambridge URNU) became Bristol URNU's Training ship in Summer 2010, superseding HMS Trumpeter. The HQ of Bristol URNU is Lunsford House, part of the University of Bristol's Chemistry Campus. Students attend Bristol URNU from the Universities of Bristol, Bath and UWE. Drill nights take place weekly at Lunsford House. Sea training takes place onboard HMS Raider. The Unit staff comprises a regular Royal Navy officer as OiC, a Royal Navy CPO as coxswain, a civilian secretary, a senior training officer (RNR) and a team of 3 training officers (RNR). The staff ensure that the shore based training of the undergraduate students prepares them for service on HMS Raider at Sea. Raider deploys at weekends and for Easter and Summer deployments.
Bristol URNU celebrates 40 years in service in Summer 2012-Contact the unit for more information of the celebration dinner
HMS Raider is one of sixteen 20 metre, 54 tonne P2000 patrol craft employed by the Royal Navy. She is constructed from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). All sixteen P2000s fall within the 1PBS, with fourteen of these being affiliated with URNUs. As a Batch 2, HMS Raider has a sustainable top speed of 24 knots, faster than her Batch 1 sister ships due to her more powerful turbocharged MTU diesels; she can exceed 24 knots in suitable sea conditions. The only other Batch 2 P2000 is HMS Tracker (P274), affiliated to Oxford URNU.
Raider and Tracker have recently completed their 2010 summer deployment to Gibraltar.
In addition to her Captain, Lieutenant Charlie Collins Royal Navy, a regular Royal Navy officer, HMS Raider has a permanent crew of four Royal Navy personnel including the XO, MEO, WEO and Navs Yeo. Up to twelve students may be embarked in addition to one of Bristol URNU's four Training Officers (TOs). All TOs are Reserve officers in the Royal Navy, as well as working in civilian Jobs. The Senior Training Officer(STO), Lt. C.J. Cameron RNR, is responsible for the training of the unit's 51 undergraduate students. S/Lt. H. Perry, and S/Lt. S. Wray complete the training team at the Unit. The Current Senior Midshipman is Mid. D. Emmerson assisted by Deputy Senior Midshipman, Mid. S. Priestley. Students in Bristol hold the rank of officer cadet on entry, rising to the rank of honorary Midshipmen and are paid at standard Navy rates.
Bristol University Royal Naval Unit Midshipmen parade each year in Bristol's Remembrance Sunday parade, the second largest in the UK next to London.
Unit members come from most academic disciplines, both arts- and science-oriented; there are equal numbers of female and male members.
UK
