Feature 1 | PATROL & RESCUE BOATS
More complex demands for patrol vessel construction
As many national coastguards move to rejuvenate ageing fleets, demand for reliability and seaworthiness remains high. David Tinsley rounds up some of this year’s notable international deliveries
R
ising demands on agencies and navies to ensure security in national waters and protect resources in
economic exclusion zones(EEZs) make for a buoyant market in patrol boat construction and design. Modernisation and development have been given extra impetus by the age profile of many existing fleets facing more complex challenges, and by the increased budgetary allocations in economically-emergent countries for a wide range of craſt. With construction of two new offshore
patrol vessels(OPVs) for the Irish Naval Service(INS) in hand at Babcock Marine’s Appledore yard, the fleet is set to strengthen its operational capabilities in fulfilling
duties around Ireland and in the rough waters of the North Atlantic. The design of the 90m OPVs was
produced by Vancouver-based STX Marine and shares a certain amount of commonality in layout, equipment and systems to that supplied for the 78m sisters LE Roisin and LE Niamh, which were built at the same yard in 2000 and 2001 respectively. Besides having an increased length and depth, the new ships will be faster, with a maximum speed of 23knots, and promise enhanced seakeeping performance in patrolling the country’s 200-mile EEZ and for deployments beyond. Te design has been developed to provide up to 40 years of service in the main areas
of operation, of which fisheries protection is one of the principal tasks. As with the LE Roisin and LE Niamh,
a Wärtsilä diesel-electric plant and split engine configuration has been specified for the pair. The vessels will have a range of 6,000nm and 21 days, and the propulsion system will cater for loiter speeds of up to 8knots. Te build contract calls for deliveries in
early 2014 and 2015 respectively, and was awarded in October 2010 at a price of €99 million (US$130 million), exclusive of VAT. Te additional cost of the weapon systems will amount to approximately €8 million (US$10.5 million). Payments are being spread over eight years, to 2017.
Babcock’s Appledore yard is building two STX Marine-designed 90m offshore patrol vessels for the Irish Naval Service
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Ship & Boat International May/June 2013
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