HMS Explorer (P164)

The Example class were distinguishable from their Royal Navy counterparts by their black painted hull until 2005, though they shared the same characteristics as them, being twin screw vessels constructed from moulded glass-reinforced plastic (GRP).

Explorer served for eight years as a RNXS tender with the pennant number A154 before being transferred to the Royal Navy upon the disbanding of the service in 1994.

Upon joining the Naval service, the ship was assigned to the recently formed Yorkshire Universities Royal Navy Unit as its designated training vessel.

[3] In addition to the ship's role as a training vessel, Explorer is also utilised by the Royal Navy for a range of ceremonial and other fleet tasking.

The ship's comparatively small size is an asset in this regard, allowing the Royal Navy to "show the White Ensign in places that larger vessels cannot reach".

HMS Example and HMS Explorer seen either side of HMS Archer , demonstrating the distinctive black hull of the RNXS Example Class.
Westland Sea King helicopter and Explorer , at the celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II on 4 June 2012 at the Humber Bridge
HMS Explorer in formation with HMS Biter , Pursuer , and Trumpeter on a summer deployment in the Baltic Sea, 2015 (Photo taken from HMS Trumpeter ).