Attacker-class patrol boat explained
The
Attacker class (also referred to as the
Tracker class) is a class of patrol boats. Formerly operated by the
Royal Navy and
HM Customs, seven of the class are currently operated by the
Lebanese Navy[1] and two by
Lebanese Customs.
Design and construction
The Attacker class was constructed by Fairey Allday (Fairey Marine Ltd), on the River Hamble in Hampshire, England.[1] HMS Attacker was built in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, while the rest of the class were built in Southampton.[2]
The ships have glass-reinforced plastic hulls.[1] The vessels were allocated to various RNR Divisions. HMS Striker being based in Liverpool as a tender to HMS Eaglet. Eventually the vessels were re allocated to the URNUs.
Operational history
HMS Attacker, Hunter and Striker formed the Cyprus Squadron and were used for patrol and harbour protection. HMS Attacker was the training ship for the University Royal Naval Unit serving Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities, while HMS Chaser performed this role at the Aberdeen URNU and HMS Fencer performed the same role for Southampton University. Patrol ships carried three general purpose machine guns, while the training ships were unarmed.
The Attacker class was decommissioned from the Royal Navy during 1991 and 1992.[1] All five ships were sold to the Lebanese Navy in July 1992.[1] Two Attackers formerly operated by the British Customs Service were also sold to Lebanon in March 1994.[1]
List of ships
- - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Trablous in 1992.[1]
- - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Jbeil in 1992.[1]
- - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Jounieh in 1992.[1]
- - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Arz in 1992.[1]
- - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Saida in 1992.[1]
- Safeguard (Customs) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Batroun in 1994.[1]
- Swift (Customs) - Transferred to the Lebanese Navy and renamed Sarafand in 1994.[1]
- Libnan II (Lebanese Customs)
- Arz II (Lebanese Customs)
Notes and References
- Book: Wertheim, Eric . The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World . Naval Institute Press . 2007 . Annapolis . 445–6 . Google Books . 978-1-59114-955-2.
- Book: Saunders, Stephen . Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010 . 2009 . 978-0-7106-2888-6 . 432267210 . .