Newly delivered maritime security vessels include a naval patrol vessel for South Africa, a fisheries protection vessel for one of China's well-known nature preserves, and police craft for various agencies in Italy, the Solomon Islands, and the United States. Meanwhile, an order has been placed for additional ships as part of an ongoing modernisation program of a Southeast Asian navy.
First of three inshore patrol vessels delivered to South African Navy
Damen Shipyards Cape Town has handed over the first in a new class of three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) ordered by the South African Navy.
The 62-metre vessel was designed by Damen to provide the navy with rapid response capability for missions such as anti-illegal trafficking and anti-illegal fishing. There is also onboard space for containerised mission-specific modules while the patended Damen bow design ensures improved seakeeping and reduced emissions and fuel consumption.
The second and third MMIPVs are scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Philippine customs bureau puts new fast boats into service
The Philippine Bureau of Customs has taken delivery of two new fast patrol boats for operation out of the Port of Batangas just south of Manila.
Each boat measures 12.7 by 5.4 metres and is powered by three OXE outboards that deliver a maximum speed of 40 knots.
The electronics suite on each boat includes GPS, radar, and Garmin VHF radios.
China's Nanji Islands gets new monitoring vessel
The Nanji Islands National Marine Nature Reserve Administration of China recently took delivery of a new marine monitoring vessel.
Zhongguo Hai Jian 7009 ("China Marine Surveillance 7009") has an LOA of 34.74 metres, a beam of 6.6 metres, a speed of 25 knots, and a range of about 250 nautical miles. Missions will include anti-illegal fishing patrols in the waters of the Nanji Islands Marine Reserve.
The vessel was designed and built in compliance to China Classification Society rules.
Italian financial police inaugurates new RIB
Italy's Guardia di Finanza (GdF) financial police force has inaugurated a new rigid inflatable boat (RIB) supplied by Zodiac Milpro.
The RIB is powered by four Yamaha petrol outboards and is fitted with electronics from Simrad and Thales.
Missions will include surveillance, boarding, assault, interdiction, and pursuit.
Australian-supplied patrol boat pair handed over to Solomon Islands police
Two new vessels have been handed over to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime Division to support maritime capability and assist patrol and response operations.
The boats are the final two of six 9.2-metre-long aluminium boats supplied by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to the RSIPF. These will be used for patrol and response operations and general policing alongside the larger Guardian-class patrol boats RSIPV Gizo and RSIPV Taro.
Massachusetts police department acquires new boat
The Ipswish Police Department of Massachusetts recently acquired a new RIB from Ribcraft USA.
The centre console craft measures 4.8 metres long while the FRP hull boasts a non-skid deck and seating for up to six people.
The RIB is capable of year-round, all-weather operations.
Philippine Navy to order six South Korean-built OPVs
The Philippine Navy will place an order for six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) in a series to be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea.
The 81-metre, 1,700-tonne vessels will be armed with 76-millimetre naval guns, autocannons, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and air defence weaponry. Each will also have a helicopter deck and space for small RIBs for at-sea interceptions and boardings.
The HHI OPV was selected by the navy over competing designs presented by Austal Australia and Turkish defence company ASFAT. Officials expect the formal notice of award will be issued before the end of June 2022.
