HMS Mersey (P283)

HMS Mersey (P283) was a River-class offshore patrol vessel of the British Royal Navy. She was the third ship to bear the name, following a Mersey-class protected cruiser of 1885 and a First World War era M-class monitor. Commissioned in 2003, Mersey was primarily deployed for fishery protection duties around the UK, as well as undertaking maritime security and border control tasks. She also participated in international exercises and provided support to other government agencies. Mersey was part of the Fishery Protection Squadron, also known as the 'Fishery Squadron,' and carried out regular patrols to enforce fishing regulations and protect British fishing interests. Decommissioned in 2023, she was subsequently sold to BAE Systems to be used as a training ship.