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Patrol craft on weekend visit
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Gibraltar Squadron has been hosting this weekend two Archer Class P2000 patrol craft, similar to the craft which the Squadron used for fourteen years up until 1994.
HMS Tracker and HMS Raider are the training vessels used, respectively by Oxford University Royal Navy Unit (URNU) and Cambridge URNU. Some four years after HMS Trumpeter and HMS Ranger left the Rock, a second batch of P2000s were commissioned with these newer patrol craft being faster than their earlier counterparts.
Fourteen of the UK’s leading universities are supported by URNUs, whose role is to ‘educate a wide spectrum of high calibre undergraduates who show potential as society’s future leaders and opinion formers in order to better inform them of the need for and role of the Royal Navy.’
‘At Oxford and Cambridge, the URNUs are both over-subscribed,’ said Lt Conor O’Neill, Tracker’s Captain. ‘The students see the value of having membership of the URNU on their CVs and, as well as being good personal development, it’s good fun.’
‘But getting down here safely is testament to the hard work of our four-man permanent ships’ companies,’ added Lt O’Neill. ‘They have worked very hard to give the students this chance of a lifetime.’
Commander British Forces, Commodore Adrian Bell, visited the two patrol craft, shortly after their arrival at Coaling Island.
12-07-10
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