Name HMS Smiter Builder Watercraft Marine Completed 22 January 1986 Construction started 1985 Weight 54 tons | Operator Royal Navy Laid down 1985 Commissioned 4 September 1986 Launched 1985 Displacement 54,000 kg | |
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HMS Smiter is an Archer-class patrol and training vessel of the British Royal Navy.
Service history
On being accepted into service, she initially served with the Clyde Division of the Royal Naval Reserve until 11 October 1990. She then transferred to the University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) of Glasgow. In September 2012 she became the training vessel Oxford University Royal Naval Unit . She replaced HMS Tracker in this role, which transferred to the Faslane Force Protection Squadron.
The Oxford University Royal Naval Unit is one of 14 URNUs supporting the countries' leading Universities in England, Wales and Scotland. The organisation's Mission 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, and to develop awareness of career opportunities in the Service."
Students from the URNU get the chance to deploy on sea weekends or sea days aboard the ship, where they learn how to handle and navigate the vessel under the instruction of the permanent RN crew of five. The ship also goes on twice yearly deployments, at Easter and in the summer.