British Navy’s River-class patrol ship HMS Severn decommissioned

The British Royal Navy’s Batch 1 River-class offshore patrol ship (OPV) HMS Severn has been decommissioned at a ceremony in HM Naval Base Portsmouth following 14 years of service.

HMS Severn has reached the end of its planned service life after being commissioned into the fleet in 2003.

HMS Severn commanding officer, lieutenant commander Hugh Harris said: “Today is a day of mixed emotions.

“I am very proud of Severn and her ship’s company for all they have achieved but I am also very sad to see a fine ship retire from service.

“For the last 14 years, bar a short stint in the Caribbean, Severn has been on duty for 320 days of each year on patrol in British waters.

“She has been a vital enabler to the economic security of this country, conducting fisheries inspection duties to ensure the industry remains profitable and sustainable for present and future generations.”

HMS Severn conducted North Atlantic patrol duties in the Caribbean, prevented drug trafficking and carried out search and rescue missions during its service life, in addition to various fisheries responsibilities.

In the past one year, HMS Severn performed escort missions in the English Channel involving a Russian landing ship and Chinese task group.

It also participated in several navigation training courses and an assessment exercise for the Royal Navy’s submarine commanders’ programme.

HMS Severn was designed and built by BAE Systems, and along with HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey and HMS Clyde will be replaced by new River-class Batch 2 vessels.

Three River-class Batch 2 OPVs known as Forth, Medway and Trent are currently under construction for the British Royal Navy.

The first ship, HMS Forth, is slated to enter service later this year.