Royal Navy patrol boat

Faslane patrol boat HMS Tracker has set off from her home port of HM Naval Base Clyde for a three-week deployment around Scotland.

The modified Royal Navy Archer class P2000 vessel, which helps protect high-value shipping, is a common sight on the River Clyde.

As part of the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron the ship rarely leaves the dockyard port so the crew jumped at the chance to undertake the Caledonian cruise and visit other parts of Scotland.

“The next three weeks will see us sail around the west coast of Scotland, transit the Caledonian Canal to Inverness, and visit Orkney and the Inner Hebrides,” said Lieutenant Commander James Mitchell, Commanding Officer of HMS Tracker.

“The Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron performs an important role, helping to protect the River Clyde and high-value vessels which use the dockyard port. We are really looking forward to sailing around Scotland and explaining the work the Royal Navy does to protect the country.”

The vessel will visit Stornoway on her voyage as well as Islay, Portree, Inverness, Wick, Orkney, and Tobermory.

She will also host a number of school visits, train alongside the RNLI and the coastguard, and demonstrate and practice seamanship to potential Royal Navy recruits.

Commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1998, HMS Tracker is one of two patrol boats that form the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron. Formed in 2010, the squadron provides force protection around Faslane.

Wearing the pennant number P274, HMS Tracker is a fully-fledged armed patrol boat and is fitted with Kevlar armour as well as being able to operate three 7.62mm machine guns.

Island voyage for Royal Navy patrol boat

16 May 2017