French Maritime Affairs’ newest OPV floated out

French shipyard OCEA has floated out a new aluminium-hulled offshore patrol vessel (OPV) slated for government agency French Maritime Affairs.

The 46- by 8.5-metre Gyptis will be operated primarily in the Mediterranean, where it will perform missions including surveillance, pollution control, dive support, search and rescue, and fisheries enforcement. The vessel will also have deck space for two small boats for use in at-sea interceptions and boardings as well as an unmanned aerial vehicle for surveillance duties.

Gyptis will then undergo sea trials before its scheduled delivery in early 2022.

See more stories from this month's Pollution Control Week here.