HMS Express (P163)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Express.

HMS Express berthed at Penarth Marina, February 2020
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Express
Operator	Royal Navy
Builder	Vosper Thornycroft
Commissioned	1988
Identification	MMSI number: 235009920 Callsign: GABC Pennant number: P163
Status	In active service
General characteristics
Class and type	Archer-class patrol vessel
Displacement	54 tonnes
Length	20.8 m (68 ft 3 in)
Beam	5.8 m (19 ft 0 in)
Draught	1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Propulsion	2 shafts, Rolls-Royce M800T diesels, 1,590 bhp (1,190 kW)
Speed	21 kn (39 km/h) 45 kn (83 km/h) (Hull design, but limited due to engine fitted)
Range	550 nmi (1,020 km)
Complement	16 (training) 12 (operational)
Sensors and processing systems	Decca 1216 navigation radar
Armament	1 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon on fo'c'sle ("for but not with") 3 × General purpose machine guns

HMS Express is an Archer-class P2000-type patrol and training vessel of the Royal Navy.

Initially assigned to the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, her hull was black rather than the grey colour normally used for Royal Navy warships. On transfer to the Royal Navy she retained the black colour until 2005. She is assigned to the Wales University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) from Cardiff, Swansea and South Wales Universities. The students are given the rank of officer cadet in the Royal Navy Reserve.

Up to 10 students from Wales URNU can be accommodated on board, as well as 5 permanent ships company drawn from the Royal Navy.

External links

• "HMS Express". Royal Navy.
• "Wales URNU Official Site".