RMAS Colonel Templer (A229)

RMAS Colonel Templer (A229) is an acoustic research vessel, renamed Seaway Endeavour since 2011. Between 1980 and 2011, she was in the service of the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service department of the Royal Navy.

History
MV Criscilla, a stern trawler was built in 1966 by Hall, Russell & Company for J Marr and Sons of Hull.

In 1980, she was sold to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough and named Colonel Templer after Colonel James Templer, an early British military pioneer of balloons and superintendent of the Aldershot balloon factory. She was converted into a research vessel mainly for sonar work by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

After a serious fire in 1990, the ship underwent a major rebuild. From November 2000, Colonel Templer was operated under contract by Serco Denholm, based at HMNB Clyde, Great Harbour, Greenock. In 2001, she was converted to support diving training.

By July 2011, she was sold to a Swedish firm and renamed Seaway Endeavour with a blue and white livery.

Layout
Her displacement is 1,300 tonnes and dimensions 56 m by 11 m by 5.6 m. Her complement is 14 and speed 12 knots. Twelve scientists can be carried.

Service
MV Criscilla was a stern trawler.

Following conversion to an acoustic research vessel, the ship was used in support of trials as well as supporting RN diving training. She is now in civilian service as a research trials ship.