The P2000 class ship will move from Aberdeen University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) to Edinburgh for the start of the 2012/13 academic year.
Archer will become the training vessel for the newly-created East of Scotland URNU, which replaces Aberdeen URNU after 45 years’ service.
The Firth of Forth location will enable HMS Archer to maximise the time she is available for URNU activities but also allow for tasking by the Naval Regional Command and the Flag Officer, Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland (FOSNNI).
The URNU mission is to provide the Royal Navy experience to a wide audience, and Edinburgh’s more sheltered waters are within reach of a larger number of universities from which to recruit.
There is work to be done before the East of Scotland unit is fully operational, but recruitment is expected from September onwards.
Aberdeen’s URNU Alumni Association is a thriving organisation and all members will be informed of the unit’s move. The only change to the organisation will be the name; it will become East Scotland URNU Alumni combining former students from both Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, July 25, 2012; Image: Royal Navy