#RoyalNavy - As well to yesterday's inaugural Stena Explorer (HSS) highspeed sea service sailing this year from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, a Royal Navy inshore fast-patrol training boat followed in her wake, writes Jehan Ashmore.

HMS Express (P163) speed across the Irish Sea at some 17 knots from the Anglesea port while the HSS fast-ferrycraft surged ahead at almost 24 knots during her first crossing of the seasonal-only operated service of five months duration until 9 September.

The Archer P2000 class 20m patrol boat follows the visit of one of her 14 sisters, HMS Exploit (P127) which too made a call to Dublin Bay ports, firstly at the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club's marina in Ringsend and last week to Dun Laoghaire Harbour Marina.

The primary function of the P2000 class which form the First Patrol Boat Squadron is supporting the University Royal Naval Units (URNU) in addition they contribute to other wide range roles.

The URNU is based at HMS Cambria, a Royal Navy Reserve establishment near Cardiff and some of the patrol boats are based at Penarth Marina in Cardiff Bay.