![Photo: Damen](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F210218-6-South-African-Navy.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The South African Navy held a naming ceremony for a new patrol vessel on Friday, February 12.
The 62- by 11-metre newbuilding is the first of a planned three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) being built for the navy by Damen Shipyards Cape Town. Missions will also include anti-smuggling and anti-illegal fishing operations.
Damen said that the christening was held as a simpler, low-key alternative to a larger launching ceremony, which the navy deemed as impractical due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.