Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) and Damen Shipyards Den Helder (DSHS) handed over a new expeditionary survey boat (ESB) to the Royal Netherlands Navy on Friday, February 26.
The 16-metre newbuild was officially named Hydrograaf via a virtual christening ceremony that same day. It will be operated primarily as a daughter craft but is capable of extended duration or long-distance survey missions away from the mothership.
Hydrograaf's duties will include: collecting data on environmental conditions in support of amphibious operations; hydrographic surveys to help prepare for emergency relief operations; and general hydrographic survey duties on the Dutch continental shelf in support of the national government.
