New RHIBs for the RN reservists

HMS Calliope is a Royal Navy Reserve training centre on the right bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead. Reservists have been trained on this "stone frigate" since 1905. The soldiers there have now been able to launch two brand new Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) for the first time in the Royal Quays Marine near the mouth of the Tyne. They were then transported around 13 kilometres upriver to the headquarters. The new boats are part of a transformation aimed at improving the training of reservists. They were built by the South African Gemini Marine. In addition to Calliope, the reservist centres Cambria, Cardiff and Eaglet in Liverpool will each receive two of these boats. The training is based on the RYA Powerboat Scheme, which teaches basic seamanship, navigation and radio communication.

Text: mb; Photos: Royal Navy/Crown Copyright