WHAT began as an experiment four decades ago has now celebrated its 40th birthday: the first University Royal Naval Unit.

Back in 1967 Professor Raymond Stevenson of the University of Aberdeen decided to harness the enthusiasm of his students with the Granite City’s proud maritime and naval heritage.

And so Aberdeen URNU was born, aimed at giving the cream of Britain’s young brains an insight into the Senior Service. It was greatly helped in its fledgling years by minesweeper HMS Thornham, no longer needed by the front-line Fleet and donated to the unit.

Four decades later, P2000 patrol craft HMS Archer does what Thornham once did; students go to sea with the boat to learn to navigate, conduct transfers at sea, ship driving, general boat handling and emergency drills.

Around 50 students from Aberdeen and Robert Gordon Universities join the unit each year at its base in Gordon Barracks, Bridge of Don. Archer takes some students to sea around the Western Isles each Easter, and more around the UK and Europe each summer during university leave.

“For students this is the best of both worlds,” said Cdre Charles Stevenson, Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland. “In the URNU, students learn nautical skills and skills for life, a variety of new experiences, visit interesting places and receive up to £3,000 per year tax-free.

“There’s no commitment to them joining the RN when they graduate. We hope that they will take their increased understanding of the need for a Navy with them throughout their lives.”

As for the pilot project, it has mushroomed into 14 URNU across the land, each with its own P2000: Aberdeen, HMS Archer; Birmingham, HMS Exploit; Bristol, HMS Trumpeter; Cambridge, HMS Raider; Glasgow, HMS Smiter; Liverpool, HMS Charger; Wales, HMS Express; Oxford, HMS Tracker; London, HMS Puncher; Manchester, HMS Biter; Northumbrian, HMS Example; Sussex, HMS Ranger; Southampton, HMS Blazer; Yorkshire, HMS Explorer.