Built as a patrol vessel under yard No 974 by Hall Russel & Co., Aberdeen for the Royal Navy.
July 1975 ordered.
14 May 1976 laid down.
17 February 1977 launched under the name HMS GUERNSEY P297, launching ceremony was performed by Lady Martin the wife of the Governor of the Island of Guernsey. She was one of the Island class of which 7 were built.
Displacement 925 standard, 1.260 full load. Dim. 59.6 x 10.4 x 4.3m.
Powered by two Ruston diesel engines, 4.380 bhp., one screw, speed 16 knots.
Range, 7.000 mile by a speed of 12 knots.
Armament: 1 Bofors 40mm close range gun, 2 -7.6mm MG.
Crew 37.
28 October 1977 commissioned. Based at Rosyth, Scotland.
In the confrontations between British and Icelandic ships in the early 1970’s, better known as the “Cod Wars” it was found out that the use of navy frigates in such situations was far from ideal, and a new design was made in the style of the vessels better used for this task.
This class of ships were special built for offshore patrol service, and resembled a trawler in both design and appearance.
Her main task was the patrolling of the British fishing grounds and the protection of the North Sea Oil and Gas fields from terrorist threats.
Used also for inspection of fishing vessels in the British 200 miles zone, they carry high speed inflatable boats to bring boarding parties to the fishing vessels which they want to inspect.
They are also used for other duties, like assisting vessels in distress, anti pollution work and assisting HM Customs and Excise in counter-drugs operation, and for scientific research and marine studies.
1995 The vessels of this class were transferred to Portsmouth, where after she mainly operated in southern British waters.
31 December 2003 decommissioned.
29 January 2004 handed over to the Bangladesh Navy in a colourful ceremony at the Portsmouth Naval Base together with her sister the HMS LINDISFARNE.
Renamed in BNS TURAG.
2007 Still used by the Bangladesh Navy as a patrol vessel.
Guernsey 2003 £1.50 sg?
Source: Watercraft Philately July/August 2003. http://www.btinternet.com/~warship/Today/island.htm and other web-sites.