HMS Biter ( P270 ) HMS " Biter " ( P270 ) is an P2000 - type patrol and training vessel of the British Royal Navy . She is assigned to Manchester & Salford Universities Royal Naval Unit , a Royal Naval Reserve unit based in Manchester . The ship is based at , the Royal Naval Headquarters ( Merseyside ) in Liverpool . As part of her sea training programme , she often makes visits to local ports for ceremonial visits or occasions . Construction . She was built by Watercraft Ltd . at Shoreham - by - Sea in 1986 as one of ten vessels ordered as the P2000 class . The class was based on a design of an Omani coastguard cutter built by Watercraft Marine . They are twin - shaft vessels with moulded glass - reinforced plastic hulls . She has no dedicated armament though she can be fitted with pintle - mounted L7 7 . 62 mm GPMG machine gun s . " Biter " is part of the First Patrol Boat Squadron ( 1PBS ) based at HMNB Portsmouth . Operations . " Biter " was commissioned in 1986 into the Royal Navy and she was attached to Mersey Division , a Royal Naval Reserve Unit . In 1990 , she was transferred to Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit . " Biter " s time at sea includes weekends visiting local ports such as Holyhead , Douglas and Barrow - in - Furness and deployments during the Easter and Summer holidays when she visits ports around the UK and northern Europe . She is attached to the Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit ( URNU ) and her main role is to provide Naval training to URNU students on weekends and in Easter and Summer deployments . As part of her sea training programme , she often makes visits to local ports for ceremonial visits or occasions . In May 1993 , she attended the Battle of the Atlantic 50th Anniversary Fleet Review . More recently , in December 2005 , she helped to start the " Round the World Clipper Race " in Liverpool . " Biter " visited Barrow - in - Furness in July 2007 for the launching of , the first of class of the . She also regularly visits her affiliated town of Silloth in Cumbria for Remembrance Sunday commemorations . The tabloid " The Sun " published an article in February 2009 regarding a cadet being towed by " Biter " in a rubber ring whilst wearing a mankini during a deployment near Portsmouth , Hampshire . In July 2009 " Biter " transited the Manchester Ship Canal in company with her sister ship HMS " Charger " and the minesweeper . While docked in Salford Quays the " Ledbury " hosted a cocktail party in company with Manchester and Salford Universities Royal Naval Unit which included various local dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenants of Manchester and Salford respectively . In October 2009 , " Biter " took part in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Fleet Air Arm . Here she demonstrated anti - piracy and hostage rescue operation along with several helicopters from the Fleet Air Arm . Crew . " Biter " is captained by a Lieutenant Commander and is permanently crewed by 4 other Royal Navy personnel . Chief Petty Officer s fill the roles of Executive Officer and Marine Engineering Officer , and the yeoman and Weapons Engineering Officer are junior rates of the appropriate service branches . With students embarked ( up to a maximum of 12 ) , a training officer is usually present who is typically an RNR Lieutenant or Sub - Lieutenant . The Commanding Officer of " Biter " who is also the Officer in Charge of Manchester and Salford Royal Naval Unit is currently Lieutenant Commander Louis Gardner who assumed command in March 2012 . Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit . The Manchester and Salford University Royal Naval Unit ( M & S URNU ) is one of 14 URNUs attached to Universities across England , Wales and Scotland . The organisation ' s Mission is to " ' To broaden Naval understanding and develop undergraduates who show potential to become the leaders of tomorrow , through maritime experience and exposure to the values and ethos of the Royal Navy . " " Whilst a member of the unit , students hold the rank of honorary Midshipmen . The students undergo shore - based training held in the Unit headquarters in Manchester University where they undergo a programme of classroom - based instruction at weekly " drill nights " . Students also have opportunities to spend time on larger Royal Navy warships and naval bases , to participate in adventurous training and to gain RYA qualifications . Throughout the year there the unit conducts various sporting events as well as charity events alongside the programme of sea - training .