Island-class patrol vessel (2013) explained

-- warship classes --> Ship Image: Island-class patrol vessel.JPG Ship Caption: Island-class Police patrol vessel Builders: Holyhead Marine Services Operators: MoD Police Clyde Marine Unit (primary) . Portsmouth Marine Unit. Force Protection Group Royal Marines Class Before: 14m police boat Class After: new hull in design phase Subclasses: RM patrol craft Built Range: 294 miles at 33kts full load In Commission Range: 12 Total Vessels Planned: 12 Total Vessels Completed: 12 Total Vessels Cancelled: 0 Total Vessels Active: 12 Ship Type: Police Patrol Boat Ship Displacement: 19.9 tonnes Ship Length: 14.90m (OA) Ship Beam: 4.58m Ship Draught: 0.90m (Full Load) Ship Propulsion: Twin Caterpillar C18 @ 715bhp (533kW) coupled to Rolls-Royce FF37 Waterjets Ship Speed: 33kts @ 19.9 tonnes Ship Complement: 3 Ship Armament: Capable of carrying variety of weapons fit Ship Armour: Ballistically protected

The Island-class is a class of Police patrol boat operated primarily by the MOD Police Clyde Marine Unit at HMNB Clyde. They are tasked with protecting high value Royal Navy ships such as the Vanguard-class submarines. Royal Marines currently operate two ex police boats of the class Mull and Rona- these were handed over to the Royal Marines during 2013. Rona and Mull are interchangeable in their roles and can be used by both RM and MDP. The RMs also have a third vessel named Eorsa.^[1] Mod Police Portsmouth Marine Unit also operate Gigha and Lewis. Gigha was the prototype and first of class. ^{[2] [3]}

Specifications

The Island-class patrol vessel has the following specifications:^[3]

• Weight (full): 20,000 kg (20 tonnes)
• Length: 14.9m (48.9feet)
• Width : 4.6m (15.1feet)
• Speed: 33kn
• Endurance: In excess of 275nmi
• Crew: 3
• Armament: Weapon mounts for GPMGs, GMGs and HMGs

Current fleet

MoD Police

• Gigha (Portsmouth Marine Unit)
• Iona
• Skye
• Lismore
• Barra
• Harris
• Lewis (Portsmouth Marine Unit)
• Jura
• Tiree

Royal Marines

• Mull
• Rona
• Eorsa

See also

• MoD Police
• List of active Royal Marines military watercraft

External links

• Image of an Island-class patrol vessel at UK Armed Forces Commentary (blogspot.ie)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Royal Navy Fleet Poster p.21 . February 2023 . Navy News . 13 June 2023.
2. http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2013/march/07/130307-rm-island-class-vessels Royal Marines take delivery of new Island Class vessels
3. http://www.holyheadmarine.co.uk/portfolios/15m-police-boat/ 15m Police Boat