HMS Mersey (P283)

The fifth and current HMS Mersey is a River-class offshore patrol vessel of the British Royal Navy. Named after the River Mersey, the ship is the first to bear the name in 84 years.

She was built by Vosper Thornycroft in Southampton to serve as fishery protection units within the United Kingdom's waters along with her two sister ships Tyne and Severn. All three were commissioned into service in 2003 to replace the five older Island-class patrol vessels. She was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 28 November 2003. At that time, Mersey was not expected to commence duties until February 2004.

Mersey was the last Royal Navy ship to be launched from Vosper Thornycroft at its Woolston shipyard; Jennie Reeve, wife of Rear-Admiral Jonathon Reeve, Chief of Fleet Support, was the ship's sponsor. The first ship launched at the yard was the Tribal-class destroyer HMS Tartar (1907) on 25 June 1907.



Affiliations

 * HMS Eaglet (shore establishment)
 * TS Ardent
 * Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Liverpool.