HMS Raider is an Archer-classpatrol and training vessel of the BritishRoyal Navy, used to fulfil the sea-training syllabus of Bristol University Royal Naval Unit. Based in Devonport, 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, Raider is deployed for up to 6 weeks of sea time.
Characteristics
Raider is one of sixteen 20-metre, 54-tonne P2000 patrol craft operated by the Royal Navy. She is constructed from glass-reinforced plastic. All 16 P2000s fall within the First Patrol Boat Squadron, with fourteen of these being affiliated with URNUs. As a "batch 2" vessel, 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 Tracker, affiliated to Oxford URNU. Raider and Tracker have recently completed their 2010 summer deployment to Gibraltar.
Service
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. Sea training takes place on board Raider. The unit staff comprise a regular Royal Navy officer in command, a Royal Navy chief petty officer as coxswain, a civilian secretary, a senior training officer and a team of 3 training officers. The staff ensure that the shore based training of the undergraduate students prepares them for service at sea. Raider deploys at weekends and for Easter and Summer deployments.
In addition to her captain, a regular Royal Navy officer, Raider has a permanent crew of four Royal Navy personnel. Up to twelve students may be embarked in addition to one of Bristol URNU's four training officers. All training officers are Royal Navy Reserve officers. The senior training officer is responsible for the training of the unit's 51 undergraduate students. Students hold the rank of officer cadet on entry, rising to the rank of honorary midshipman. Unit members come from most academic disciplines, both arts- and science-oriented; there are equal numbers of female and male members.
UK
