VESSEL REVIEW | PT88 – Singapore Police Force introduces new patrol boat series

The Singapore Police Force's Police Coast Guard (PCG) division recently inaugurated a new class of fast coastal patrol vessels supplied by a local partnership formed by statutory board Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and shipbuilder ST Engineering. The supply of the new boats is in fulfillment of a contract awarded in 2018 to ST Engineering via its ST Engineering Marine division.

Customised by HTX's Platform Systems Sustainment Centre, the PT-class patrol craft are among the PCG's larger vessels with each vessel having a length of 23 metres and a beam of 6.25 metres. A draught of only one metre means operations are possible in more restrictive waters while an optimised hull form guarantees improved hydrodynamic performance and seakeeping. The series was designed to be capable of high-speed transits and to provide enhanced crew habitability for all-weather operation in Singapore territorial waters.

The craft boast improved features that help enhance the police force's maritime security capabilities. These include an upgraded onboard surveillance system with a greater detection range and a stabilised naval gun system for use in interdicting hostile targets accurately even during high-speed pursuits.

The boats will be used for coast guard duties such as general law enforcement, anti-smuggling and anti-illegal migration patrols, coastal surveillance, force protection, counter-terrorism, and search and rescue (SAR) missions in Singapore's waters.

The PT-class boats are equipped with waterjet propulsion that can deliver speeds in excess of 55 knots as well as ensure enhanced manoeuvrability. The wheelhouse on each boat has shock-absorbing seats to help reduce fatigue, large windows that provide a full 360 degrees of visibility, and forward-angled windscreens to reduce glare. Each boat has seating for five crewmembers though up to 20 additional people can be accommodated on board if needed.

Other key features on each of the new boats include a remotely controlled monitor for external firefighting use, an engine-driven firefighting pump with a discharge rate of 150 cubic metres per hour, a water spray system for self-protection, a SAR davit, shipside rescue access steps, a foam fender to prevent damage to the deck, and anti-slip deck paint similar to that used on helicopter landing pads.

The boats are equipped with ST Engineering's proprietary ship control and management system (SCMS) to provide the crews with centralised control and monitoring of platform sensors and systems. The custom-built SCMS allows crews to have a complete overview of the numerous systems on board the vessels.

Up to five tonnes of assorted cargo may also be carried on each vessel.

The PCG intends to acquire 24 PT-class boats.

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