HMS Ranger was built at Shoreham-by-Sea by Watercraft Ltd. in 1987.
Operational history
Ranger was originally allocated to Ulster Division of the Royal Naval Reserve based in Belfast on HMS Caroline and used for Junior Officer training. In 1991 she went to Gibraltar with HMS Trumpeter to form the Gibraltar Squadron, and returned to the UK to become Sussex URNU's allocated P2000 in early 2004. Being a cadet training ship, Ranger is not equipped with live weaponry unless required for a supervised training exercise. It is fitted for – but not with – a 20 mm 85 GAM Cannon, as well as storage for four standard service rifles and two GPMGs.
Alongside HMS Trumpeter she was deployed on the Thames for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant as part of the Royal Squadron escorting the Royal Barge. Subsequent to this, she departed upon a twelve-week deployment in company with Trumpeter, Example and Explorer around the Baltic, representing the UK at Kiel Week.[3]
In June 2017, Ranger, in company with HM Ships Smiter, Archer and Exploit, deployed to the Baltic to take part in the NATO BALTOPS exercise, the first time that Royal Navy P2000s have been involved in such an exercise.[4]
Role
Ranger provides sea training to members of the Sussex University Royal Naval Unit. She can also be tasked with maritime security, search and rescue and inshore patrol.
