Guardship

INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGATTA GUARDSHIP FOR 2012 will APPEAR HERE WHEN AVAILABLE.

**************************************************************************************************************

Regatta Guardship for 2011 - HMS Severn

The ninth and current HMS Severn is a River class offshore patrol vessel of the British Royal Navy. Named after the River Severn, the ship is the first to bear the name in 56-years.

She was built by Vosper Thornycroft in Southampton to serve as fishery protection units within the United Kingdom's waters along with her two sister ships Mersey and Tyne. All three were commissioned into service in 2003 to replace the five older Island class patrol vessels.

HMS Severn was affiliated with the city of Newport in September 2003 and awarded the freedom of the city in June 2006.

HMS Severn (P282)
Ordered: April 2001
Builder: Vosper Thornycroft
Commissioned: January 2003
Status: In active service, as of 2011
General characteristics:-
Class and type: River class patrol vessel
Displacement: 1,677 tonnes
Length: 79.9 m
Beam: 13.6 m
Draught: 3.8 m
Propulsion: 2 × Ruston 12RK 270 Main engines developing 4,125 kW @ 1,000 rpm
Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h)
Range: 7,800 nautical miles (14,400 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Boats and landing
craft carried:
2 × Halmatic Jet Pacific 22 Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB)
Complement: 30 (+ Royal Marine boarding party)
Armament:
1 × 20 mm British Manufacturing and Research Company (BMARC) KAA
2 ×General purpose machine guns
Aircraft carried:
Capable of supporting one small/medium helicopter (Sea King or Merlin)

A message from the Commanding Officer:-

For every Naval Officer, Dartmouth is a special place. The day I arrived on the bus from Totnes Railway Station and passed through the gates of the iconic Royal Naval College remains a vivid memory. My transformation from an enthusiastic school-leaver into a well trained Naval Officer took place here at the Naval College and on the river Dart. When not learning to handle boats, yomping over Dartmoor, marching, or learning the basics of RADAR, we made frequent forays into the town where we were welcomed with the same immense generosity and tolerance that the college enjoys today.

Several years and sea-miles later, it is a great honour to command HMS Severn as the Guardship for this fantastic event. My Ship's Company and I are very much looking forward to welcoming as many visitors as it is possible to fit into the boats. I wish you all the best for a fantastic Regatta.

Marcus J C Hember,
Lieutenant Commander Royal Navy,
Commanding Officer,
HMS Severn.