Stephen M.'s photos with the keyword: royal_navy

Unfortunately staying well offshore in poor light, it was still interesting to see the HMS Mersey passing by off Sunderland. Commissioned in 2003, the ship is a River-class offshore patrol vessel with the Royal Navy.

The HMS Explorer is the second Archer-class patrol vessel of the Royal Navy to visit Sunderland in the last month. Built by Vosper Thornycroft in 1986, it is virtually identical to HMS Archer that visited in early February 2023. HMS Explorer currently serves as part of the Universities Royal Naval Unit (URNU) and is used to train officer cadets at sea. The recruits come from the Universities of Hull, Sheffield and Leeds. PIP #1: HMS Explorer passing Roker lighthouse.

HMS Archer is a small patrol and training vessel that has been in service since 1985. The ship does not carry any armament but a 20mm canon can be mounted on the bow. Arriving late on Friday evening, HMS Archer berthed by Greenwells Quay before departing the next morning. AIS did not show any destination but it arrived into Great Yarmouth the following evening. PIP #1: Close up of the side of the ship showing an 'Archer' logo, as well as the emblem of the Coastal Forces Squadron (CFS) i the top left.

The HMS Enterprise passing through the Wear channel on the way to Roker lighthouse. PIP #1: Close up of the flagpole at the rear of the ship.

The HMS Enterprise berthed at Corporation Quay. The ship is used as a multi role survey vessel for the Royal Navy. Together with HMS Echo it makes up the 'Echo-class' of survey vessels. PIP #1: Close up of the badge of the ship. PIP #2: Close up of the name plate.

The survey vessel HMS Enterprise departing Sunderland. PIP #1: Signal flags flown by the HMS Enterprise on departing Sunderland. The top flag is 'Code and Answer' with the lower flag being 'H'. The latter has the additional meaning of 'pilot on board'. PIP #2: Crew on deck of the ship - note the manned machine gun at right.

The HMS Diamond is an air-defence destroyer of the Royal Navy commissioned in 2011. Besides various anti-air armaments, the ship also carries one or two helicopters, with one being just about visible on the aft deck in the picture. The ship initially sailed south past Sunderland, before returning and eventually mooring in the Port of Tyne later that evening.