HMC Searcher

HMC Searcher is one of five cutter ships operated by UK Visas and Immigration in the role of patrolling the waters of the United Kingdom. She was launched by Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands in 2002.

History
HMC Searcher entered service in 2002 with what was then HM Customs and Excise (HMCE). HMCE merged with the Inland Revenue in 2005, and the cutter fleet became part of the newly founded HM Revenue and Customs. In 2008, the fleet transferred to the UK Border Agency, which was established to maintain the UK border. She now operates as part of the UK Visas and Immigration fleet of five cutters.

Prefix
From the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise into HM Revenue and Customs on 18 April 2005, customs cutters changed their prefix from "HMRC" (Her Majesty's Revenue Cutter) to "HMCC" (Her Majesty's Customs Cutter). Following the transfer to the UK Border Agency this was shortened to the present "HMC" (Her Majesty's Cutter) and a new livery was applied to the fleet.

Construction
HMC Searcher is the third of the Customs and Excise's fleet of 42 m customs patrol vessels. She was built in 2002 in the Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands, and has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Her 7 m Rigid Inflatable Boat is launched and recovered from her stern slipway.

Propulsion
She is fitted with twin Caterpillar diesel engines, with a top speed of 26 kn.