The Royal Bahamas Defence Force - Acquisition of New Vessels

 

The Government of The Bahamas in an effort to further promote citizen security and strengthen the resolve of its naval fleet, signed a letter of intent with Damen Shipyards Group, headquartered in Gorinchem, the Netherlands. Within this agreement the resolve of The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is to be redoubled by the following enhancements:

  1. The procurement of nine Stan Lander vessels,
  2. The progressive improvement to existing naval bases and
  3. The dredging of at least three harbours within The Bahamas to accommodate these new long range patrol craft.

Additionally The Defence Force will benefit from the transfer of skills and expertise, to ensure that once the Damen completes the work, officers will be able to maintain and operate the new vessels.

Among the nine specialized crafts to be acquired by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force are a specialized 5612 RO/RO landing craft that will be fitted with a 25 tonne crane. This vessel is equipped for disaster relief with a roll-on, roll-off landing craft for emergency relief operations.  The other eight vessels are all patrol vessels. Four of which are the Stan Patrol 4207, designed for blue-water patrol that have a range of more than 2,000 nautical miles and a top speed of more than 20 knots. The remaining four boats are The Stan Patrol 3007, specifically designed for operations in the coastal waters and shallow banks.

Damen is a company which comes highly recommended, having clientele from countries like USA, Canada, Jamaica, Barbados, Mexico, Honduras, Cape Verde and the Netherlands. Damen possesses eighty-five, (85) years of experience in vessel design, shipbuilding and additionally assisting partners in the management of all civil engineering challenges that often surround major new building projects. To complete its tasks in a proficient and timely manner, Damen will partner with a renown dredging company Van Oord, to effect the improving of marine access to Matthew Town in Greater Inagua and Gun Point in Ragged Point.  Marine access in Bimini and Grand Bahama will also be completed, to ensure that the northern borders of The Bahamas are as protected as its southern borders. Much of the work Van Oord will do, beginning in 2014, will be sub-contracted locally to contractors within The Bahamas.

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