VESSEL REVIEW | Berbice – New patrol vessel for Guyana Defence Force

US boatbuilder Metal Shark Boats has delivered a new aluminium-hulled patrol vessel to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for operation by its Coast Guard component.

Named after a river in Guyana, the future GDFS Berbice will be the ninth Metal Shark vessel to join the current active GDF Coast Guard fleet. The vessel was designed by Metal Shark's in-house engineering team and built at the company's Franklin, Louisiana production facility.

The vessel has a length of 115 feet (35 metres), a beam of 23 feet (seven metres), space for 24 crewmembers, storage and launch/recovery facilities for a small outboard-powered rigid inflatable boat (RIB), and mounts for automatic weapons. Missions will include maritime law enforcement patrols, maritime border patrols, customs enforcement, counter-narcotics operations, fisheries protection, disaster relief, and search and rescue (SAR).

The hull features a reverse-raked bow offering reduced resistance for improved seakeeping in higher sea states. There are also multiple watertight bulkheads and oversized scantlings throughout the hull. All integrated tanks and machinery areas are accessible via watertight hatches.

Equipped with twin Caterpillar C32 1,600hp (1,193kW) engines for economical long-range missions, Berbice boasts a range of 2,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots as well as top speeds in excess of 20 knots. Alternatively, the endurance means the vessel is able to remain out at sea for up to ten days.

The modern and efficient deck arrangement offers ample payload capacity while allowing for safe passage from the bow to the stern. Wide, non-skid walkways feature low-level LED lighting for nighttime operations, and careful consideration has been given to the placement of all rails and grab handles. Crewmembers may safely traverse the vessel, day or night, even in adverse weather conditions, with the added protection of a prominent breakwater.

The elevated, climate-controlled wheelhouse offers nearly 360 degrees of visibility and ensures effective all-weather operation. Significant emphasis is placed on the reduction of blind spots to further enhance visibility from the helm station. All controls, navigation electronics, and communications equipment are placed within easy reach. Shock-mitigating, vibration-dampening flooring is used throughout, and all surfaces are built for long-lasting durability and easy cleanup.

The accommodation spaces include crews' quarters, toilets with showers, a galley, and separate mess areas for officers and enlisted sailors. All crews' quarters are kept separate from the operations areas, allowing personnel to rest undisturbed between shifts without interfering with the vessel's operations.

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