Third OPV for Royal Netherlands Navy starts Sea Acceptance Trials in the Black Sea

Artist's impression of a Holland class patrol vessel. (Image: Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding)

September 30, 2011 defpro.com

On Tuesday, September 27th the third Oceangoing Patrol Vessel (OPV), FRIESLAND, left the Damen Shipyard from Galati, Romania for her Sea Acceptance Trials. After a journey of 150 kilometres along the Danube, the ship has arrived at the Black Sea where it will be conducting tests for the next 10 days.

During this so-called platform trial run, the entire ship will be subjected to extensive testing. The tests will be conducted by staff of Damen Shipyards Galati and Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding Vlissingen. The Defence Material Organisation and the Navy Command will be acting as a critical customer and the shipyard needs to demonstrate that all systems meet the requirements.

The FRIESLAND is the third ship in the Holland class, a series of four Oceangoing Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Royal Netherlands Navy. These 108-meter long, flexibly deployable patrol ships, with a crew of 50, will make a significant contribution to international law enforcement and security (Maritime Security Operations). To this end, they will be deployed for, among other things, anti-piracy missions, counterdrug operations and coastal guard tasks in The Netherlands as well as the Caribbean. The FRIESLAND was christened by the chairperson of the Lower House, Mrs. Gerdi Verbeet. In February of 2012 Damen Schelde will transfer the FRIESLAND to the Defence Material Organisation.