UK: HMS Explorer Joins Forces with Police

University boat HMS Explorer joined forces with police on the Humber – one of a series of demonstrations to movers and shakers in East Yorkshire. The small patrol craft, which serves Yorkshire Universities Royal Naval Unit, has been running various ‘sea days’ for civic and business leaders in the Hull area to give them a taste of life in the Senior Service.

As one of the Royal Navy’s smallest vessels – not 21 metres long, 49 tonnes – it’s unusual for HMS Explorer to dwarf anything.

But here she is ploughing the (rather murky) waters of the Humber alongside an inshore patrol boat from Humberside Police.

And overhead – from whence these photographs were taken – the force’s helicopter as the Royal Navy and constabulary gave civic, business and political leaders in the region a taste of what they can do together.

Based up the Humber in Kingston-upon-Hull, Explorer acts first and foremost as the training vessel of Yorkshire Universities Royal Naval Unit – covering centres of higher learning in Hull, Leeds, Sheffield, York and Bradford.

With the autumn term in full swing, Explorer has been holding various ‘sea days’ to showcase what the RN does in a part of the UK major warships don’t visit too often.

“Building links with the local community is an important aspect of URNU activity – it offers an opportunity to re-affirm the naval ethos among our Officer Cadets and to engage with interesting personalities,” said Explorer’s Commanding Officer Lt Dafydd Bryden.

Guests have included the Admiral of the Humber (aka the Lord Mayor of Kingston-upon-Hull), the High Sheriffs of both East and West Yorkshire as well as a selection of business leaders and the RN’s Regional Commander for Northern England, Cdre Dickie Baum.

“P2000s are excellent vessels for showcasing the Royal Navy in the public eye,” said Cdre Baum.

“Quite often they can access small ports that would be impossible for larger naval vessels.

“Their regional presence throughout the United Kingdom is invaluable when it comes to developing a wider understanding of the Royal Navy.”

Joining Explorer for the link-up with the police launch was Sub Lt Chris Hughes, a former leading regulator in the Royal Navy who joined the RNR upon leaving the Service – and Humberside Police, with whom he serves as a constable with the force’s port and maritime protection group.

“Instructing URNU cadets as a reservist training officer is a real pleasure and has complemented my career with Humberside Police.

“I joined the Maritime Reserve as an URNU Training Officer, the access to instructional training I have received has been excellent, I have achieved maritime qualifications such as RYA Cruising Instructor that I use with both with my day job and instructing URNU cadets.”

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Press Release, December 03, 2013; Image: Royal Navy