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.
| Type | Modified Pacific patrol boat |
|---|---|
| Role | Navigation training |
| International callsign | VHN8774 |
| Home port | HMAS Waterhen |
| Builder | Tenix Ship Building WA |
| Launched | 15 October 1998 |
| Displacement | 165 tons |
| Length | 31.5 metres |
| Beam | 8.21 metres |
| Draught | 2.6 metres |
| Speed | 16 knots |
| Range | 2,880 NM at 8 knots |
| Crew |
|
| Machinery | 2 Caterpillar diesels |
Function
Modified pacific patrol boat