HMS Biter (P270)

300px HMS Biter alongside in Tobermory, Scotland in April 2009
History
United Kingdom
Name:	HMS Biter
Operator:	Royal Navy
Builder:	Watercraft Ltd., Shoreham-by-Sea
Launched:	17 October 1985
Commissioned:	25 January 1986
In service:	RNR: 1986 URNU: 1990
Homeport:	HMS Eaglet, Liverpool
Identification:	Pennant number: P270 International callsign: GAAR
Status:	in active service, as of 2024
Badge:
General characteristics
Class & type:	Archer-class patrol vessel
Displacement:	54 tonnes
Length:	20.8 m
Beam:	5.8 m
Draught:	1.8 m
Propulsion:	2 shafts, Rolls Royce M800T diesels, 1,590 bhp
Speed:	14 kn (26 km/h) 45 kn (83 km/h) (Hull design, but limited due to engine fitted)
Range:	550 nmi (1,020 km)
Complement:	18 (training) 12 (operational)
Sensors and processing systems:	Decca 1216 navigation radar
Armament:	1 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon on fo'c'sle ("for but not with") 3 × General purpose machine guns

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Biter.

HMS Biter is an Archer-class P2000-type patrol and training vessel of the British Royal Navy. She is assigned to Manchester & Salford Universities Royal Naval Unit, a Royal Naval Reserve unit based in Manchester. The ship is based at HMS Eaglet, the Royal Naval Headquarters in Liverpool. As part of her sea training programme, she often makes visits to local ports for ceremonial visits or occasions.

Construction

She was built by Watercraft Ltd. at Shoreham-by-Sea in 1986 as one of ten vessels ordered as the P2000 class. The class was based on a design of an Omani coastguard cutter built by Watercraft Marine. They are twin-shaft vessels with moulded glass-reinforced plastic hulls. She has no dedicated armament though she can be fitted with pintle-mounted L7 7.62 mm GPMG machine guns. Biter is part of the First Patrol Boat Squadron (1PBS) based at HMNB Portsmouth.

Service history

Biter was commissioned in 1986 into the Royal Navy and she was attached to Mersey Division, a Royal Naval Reserve Unit. In 1990, she was transferred to Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit. Biter's time at sea includes weekends visiting local ports such as Holyhead, Douglas and Barrow-in-Furness and deployments during the Easter and summer holidays when she visits ports around the UK and northern Europe. She is attached to the Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) and her main role is to provide Naval training to URNU students on weekends and in Easter and summer deployments.

As part of her sea training programme, she often makes visits to local ports for ceremonial visits or occasions. In May 1993, she attended the Battle of the Atlantic 50th Anniversary Fleet Review. More recently, in December 2005, she helped to start the Round the World Clipper Race in Liverpool. Biter visited Barrow-in-Furness in July 2007 for the launching of HMS Astute, the first of class of the Astute-class submarine. She also regularly visits her affiliated town of Silloth in Cumbria for Remembrance Sunday commemorations. The tabloid Sun published an article in February 2009 regarding a cadet being towed by Biter in a rubber ring whilst wearing a mankini during a deployment near Portsmouth, Hampshire.

In July 2009 Biter transited the Manchester Ship Canal in company with her sister ship Charger and the minesweeper Ledbury. While docked in Salford Quays Ledbury hosted a cocktail party in company with Manchester and Salford Universities Royal Naval Unit which included various local dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenants of Manchester and Salford respectively. In October 2009, Biter took part in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Fleet Air Arm. Here she demonstrated anti-piracy and hostage rescue operation along with several helicopters from the Fleet Air Arm.

Ship's company

Biter is commanded by a lieutenant and is permanently crewed by 4 other Royal Navy personnel. Chief petty officers fill the roles of executive officer and marine engineering officer, and the yeoman and weapons engineering officer are junior rates of the appropriate service branches. With students embarked (up to a maximum of 12), a training officer is usually present who is typically an RNR lieutenant or sub-lieutenant. The commanding officer of Biter is currently Lieutenant Stuart Douthwaite, who assumed command in May 2015.

Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit

The Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit ("M&S URNU") is one of 14 URNUs attached to universities across Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). The organisation's mission is to "To broaden naval understanding and develop undergraduates who show potential to become the leaders of tomorrow, through maritime experience and exposure to the values and ethos of the Royal Navy." Whilst a member of the unit, students hold the rank of honorary midshipmen.

The students undergo shore-based training held in the unit headquarters in Manchester University where they undergo a programme of classroom-based instruction at weekly "drill nights". Students also have opportunities to spend time on larger Royal Navy warships and naval bases, to participate in adventurous training and to gain RYA qualifications. Throughout the year there the unit conducts various sporting events as well as charity events alongside the programme of sea-training.

Affiliates

• HMS Duncan
• Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)
• Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron (MASUAS)
• Manchester & Salford Universities Officer Training Corps (MSUOTC)
• Merchant Taylor's School CCF
• The North West of England & Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (NW RFCA)
• Silloth, Cumbria
• Manchester District Sea Cadets

External links

• Royal Navy HMS Biter (royalnavy.mod.uk)