HMS Biter (P270)

HMS Biter (P270) is an 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 (shore establishment), the Royal Naval Headquarters (Merseyside) 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.

Operations
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 (S119), the first of class of the. She also regularly visits her affiliated town of Silloth in Cumbria for Remembrance Sunday commemorations. The tabloid The 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 HMS Charger and the minesweeper HMS Ledbury (M30). While docked in Salford Quays the 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.

Crew
Biter is captained by a Lieutenant Commander 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 who is also the Officer in Charge of Manchester and Salford Royal Naval Unit is currently Lieutenant Commander Louis Gardner who assumed command in March 2012.

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 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 Manchester (D95)
 * The North West of England & Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (NW RFCA)
 * Silloth, Cumbria
 * Manchester & Salford Universities Officer Training Corps (MSUOTC)
 * Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron (MASUAS)
 * Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)
 * Merchant Taylor's School CCF