Seahorse Mercator is a navigational training vessel operated by Defence Maritime Services under contract to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She is a modified version of the Pacific-class patrol boat design and is based at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.
 Seahorse Mercator in 2007
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia | |
| Name | Seahorse Mercator |
| Namesake | Gerardus Mercator |
| Operator | DMS Maritime |
| Ordered | Early 1998 |
| Builder | Tenix |
| Launched | 15 October 1998 |
| Acquired | 26 November 1998 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Active, based at HMAS Waterhen |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Pacific-class patrol boat variant |
| Tonnage | 212 GT |
| Displacement | 165 tons |
| Length | 31.5 m (103 ft 4 in) |
| Beam | 8.21 m (26 ft 11 in) |
| Draught | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 x Caterpillar 3304 diesel engines, 2 propellers |
| Speed | 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) |
| Range | 2,880 nmi (5,330 km; 3,310 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph) |
| Complement | 5 crew + 3 instructors and 18 trainees |
| Sensors and processing systems | 1 x Furuno FE 606 navigation radar, 1 x Decca Bridgemaster ARPA navigation radar |
Design and construction
editSeahorse Mercator is a variant of the Pacific-class patrol boat design.[1] The ship has a displacement of 165 tons, a length of 31.5 metres (103 ft), a beam of 8.21 metres (26.9 ft), and a draught of 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in).[1] Propulsion is supplied by two Caterpillar 3304 diesels, driving two propellers.[1] Maximum speed is 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph), with a range of 2,880 nautical miles (5,330 km; 3,310 mi) at 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).[1] Seahorse Mercator is run by a crew of five plus three instructors, and can carry up to eighteen trainees.[1] Radars include a Furuno FE 606 navigation radar, and a Decca Bridgemaster ARPA navigation radar.[1] The vessel is unarmed.[2]
Seahorse Mercator was built by Tenix Ship Building Western Australia for DMS at a cost of A$4 million.[2] The vessel was launched on 15 October 1998.[2] The Canadian Forces Maritime Command's Orca-class patrol vessels were built to a modified variant of Seahorse Mercator's design.[3]
Operational history
editSeahorse Mercator conducted sea trials during November 1998, with handover to DMS and the RAN on 26 November 1998[4] She was assigned to the naval base HMAS Waterhen, and replaced the Attack-class patrol boat HMAS Ardent as the RAN's Sydney-based navigational training vessel in December that year.[2][5] Since then she has mainly operated in the Sydney area[1] and has trained RAN personnel and sailors from other navies in coastal navigation, ship handling and watch keeping procedures.[5]
Seahorse Mercator has a secondary role as a mine countermeasures craft.[1]
References
edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Naval Institute Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.
- ^ a b c d "Seahorse Mercator". Australian Warship Review. 2. Sydney: Topmill: 67. 1999. ISBN 1-876270-90-X.
- ^ "Fast tests keep new Canadian navy training ships on schedule". Diesel Progress North American Edition (April 2007).
- ^ Hines, Catherine (1999). "On Course for Delivering Vessels" (PDF). Tenacity. Tenix (corporate publication). p. 4. Retrieved 4 January 2009.