RMAS Colonel Templer (A229)

Summary

SD Colonel Templer (previously RMAS Colonel Templer (A229)) is an acoustic research vessel, renamed Seaway Endeavour in 2011 after she was sold to a Swedish shipping company. Between 1980 and 2011, she was in the service of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service and Serco Marine Services in support of the United Kingdom's Naval Service. Before 1980, Colonel Templer was known as MV Criscilla and worked as a stern trawler.

RMAS Colonel Templer on the Firth of Clyde, 2006
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Criscilla
BuilderHall, Russell & Company
Yard number931
Launched16 September 1966
In service1966
Out of service1980
FateSold to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, renamed Colonel Templer
United Kingdom
NameColonel Templer
NamesakeColonel James Templer
Operator
In service1980
Out of service2000
FateTransferred to the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service
United Kingdom
NameRMAS Colonel Templer (A229)
OperatorRoyal Maritime Auxiliary Service
In service2000
Out of service2008
HomeportHMNB Clyde
FateTransferred to Serco Marine Services
United Kingdom
NameSD Colonel Templer
OperatorSerco Marine Services
In service2008
Out of service2011
Identification
FateSold to a Swedish shipping firm and renamed Seaway Endeavour
General characteristics
Displacement1,300 tonnes
Length56 m
Beam11 m
Draught5.6 m
Speed12 knots
Complement14

Her displacement is 1,300 tonnes and dimensions 56 m by 11 m by 5.6 m. Her complement is 14 and speed 12 knots. Twelve scientists can be carried.

Ships history edit

The ship was built in 1966 by Hall, Russell & Company for J Marr and Sons of Hull. At the time she served as a stern trawler named MV Criscilla.

In 1980, she was sold to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough and renamed Colonel Templer after Colonel James Templer, an early British military pioneer of balloons and superintendent of the Aldershot balloon factory.[1] By the late 80s she was converted into an acoustic research vessel, mainly for sonar work by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

After a serious fire in 1990, the ship underwent a major rebuild and in November 2000, Colonel Templer was handed over to the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS) and operated under contract by Serco Denholm, based at HMNB Clyde. In 2001, she was converted to support diving training with the Royal Navy. Following the disbandment of the RMAS in March 2008, Colonel Templer was transferred to Serco Marine Services and received the ship prefix 'SD'.

In July 2011, she was sold to a Swedish firm and renamed Seaway Endeavour with a blue and white livery.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  • Bush, Steve (2005). British Warships and Auxiliaries. Liskeard, Cornwall: Maritime Books. ISBN 1-904459-11-0.
  1. ^ "Research Vessel in port for Trials". Falmouth Packet. 25 July 2003. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  2. ^ Seaway Endeavour - IMO 6619944, shipspotting.com, retrieved 21 June 2014