16 January 2015 naval-technology.com

Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) has successfully completed construction on two FCS 5009 patrol vessels in South Africa.

Another Damen vessel of the same class is currently operational with the Cape Verdean Coast Guard.

Damen Africa sales manager Friso Visser said: "The versatile FCS 5009 patrol boats have consistently shown themselves to be an ideal solution for patrolling an exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"They have low operational costs, are very fuel efficient, have a competitive purchase price and, crucially, are easy to maintain.

"Overall, they provide a reasonable total cost of ownership, making them attractive to countries that have a requirement to patrol an EEZ."

The two new vessels are designed to be equipped with Sea Rogue weaponry, which includes a system with a 20mm cannon forward of the wheelhouse and two 12.7mm Browning guns.

Capable of being operated by a hand controller, the Sea Rogue boasts an accurate target-tracking feature and can be installed in collaboration with manufacturer Reutech.

DSCT chairman Sam Montsi said: "The FCS 5009 is deliverable in two formats. It can be either a fast crew supply ship or a security patrol vessel.

"They are also the first in their class to be outfitted with MTU engines that offer a lighter weight-to-power ratio for increased speed."

Aug. 23, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Damen Shipyards Group; issued Aug. 22, 2013)

Fourth Damen Stan Patrol for Mexican Navy

In the first week of August the Mexican Navy (Secretaria de Marina) and Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract for a fourth Damen Stan Patrol 4207. The Dutch ship design and shipbuilding company will supply the Mexican Navy with the design and material package with which ASTIMAR 1 (the Mexican Navy yard in Tampico) will build the patrol vessel.

In addition, Damen will assist ASTIMAR 1 with technical support in order to optimize the delivery time and quality of the vessel.

The Damen Stan Patrol 4207 is designed to perform patrol duties in coastal areas and the economic exclusive zone. Other clients who operate similar vessels in the region include navies and coast guards of Jamaica, Barbados, the Dutch Caribbean, Honduras, the Canadian Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard. The USCG recently received five Fast Response Cutters for the Sentinel Class, out of a series of 58, which are based on the same Damen Stan Patrol design.

Two previous patrol vessels, ARM Tenochtitlan (PC-331) and ARM Teotihuacan (PC-332) are already deployed by the Mexican Navy.

This Mexican patrol vessel is the fourth of this class to be built in Mexico. As with other clients, Damen puts its DTC-program (Damen Technical Cooperation) to use. This service is offered to both young and experienced shipyards and aims, if and when the client so desires, to develop their shipbuilding capabilities with respect to Damen vessels. With technical, operational and logistical assistance Damen shares its extensive knowledge on shipbuilding with many yards worldwide.

Damen Shipyards Group (est. 1927) operates more than 55 shipyards, repair yards and related companies worldwide. Damen employs 8,000 people in 35 countries, has delivered over 5,000 vessels since 1969 and delivers some 150 vessels annually to worldwide customers. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept and short delivery times, Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.