MV Mercator

MV Mercator, modified Pacific patrol boat.

The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) navigation training vessel, Merchant Vessel (MV) Mercator, is a modified Pacific Class Patrol Boat. Purpose built for navigation training by Tenix Marine in Western Australia, she was launched in October 1998 to replace the aging Attack Class Patrol Boat HMAS Ardent.

Homeported at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney Harbour, she provides training to officers and sailors in coastal navigation, ship handling and watch keeping procedures. She is also utilised to assist Major Fleet Units (MFU) with boarding party training.

TypeModified Pacific patrol boat
RoleNavigation training
International callsignVHN8774
Home portHMAS Waterhen
BuilderTenix Ship Building WA
Launched15 October 1998
Displacement165 tons
Length31.5 metres
Beam8.21 metres
Draught2.6 metres
Speed16 knots
Range2,880 NM at 8 knots
Crew
  • 8 civilian crew
  • Up to 20 RAN trainees and staff
Machinery2 Caterpillar diesels

Function

Modified pacific patrol boat

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