Damen introduces new family of offshore patrol boats

GORINCHEM, Netherlands, May 4 (UPI) -- A new family of faster, fuel-efficient and multi-mission capable offshore patrol vessels has been launched by Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands.

The second-generation reconfigurable OPVs come in four lengths, from 246 feet to about 338 feet, and feature Damen's Sea Axe hull shape for enhanced seakeeping, including exceptional low heave accelerations, the company said. The Hull design also reduces water resistance.

The speed of the new vessels is as much as 25/26 knots.

"Versatility has been reinvented by three newly developed multi-mission locations – namely the bridge, hangar and bay," Damen said. "The Multi-Mission Bay can be equipped with dedicated mission modules for missions such as counter-piracy, counter-drug operations, anti-mining warfare, search-and-rescue, etc.

"The MM Bay is also equipped with a nine-meter (29.5 foot) RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat), which can be launched over a dedicated slipway through the rear of the vessel while the OPV is sailing."

Other features include the command-and-control center located directly behind the bridge, a multi-mission hangar capable of storing an NH-90 helicopter and a UAV, such as Boeing's ScanEagle.