Parading the Colors
The Royal Navy's HMS Mersey, a River-class offshore patrol vessel, displays the White Ensign at the stern as she prepares to enter harbor. Mersey and her two sisters are the backbone of the RN's Fishery Protection Squadron—a mission symbolized by the triangular blue and yellow pennant applied to her funnel. This is the RN fishery protection pennant, worn by vessels engaged in such duties. The River-class OPVs have served since 2003 and are due to be replaced in the next few years by three larger and more capable ships.
