On patrol on the open sea

August 2010 – De Boer Staal’s part in the construction of four patrol vessels for the Royal Netherlands Navy was to supply Grade D and DH36 sheet steel, and DH36 Holland sections. These patrol vessels are deployed for the coastguard and maritime safety work within Dutch territorial waters. Each vessel is 108 metres long, 16 metres wide and can accommodate a crew of fifty. In addition, there is space for 40 passengers such as a medical team, and capacity for up to 100 people in need of assistance.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence ordered four patrol vessels for the Royal Netherlands Navy from Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding of Vlissingen. To protect the vessels from attack they are equipped with advanced communications systems and are armoured, bomb-proof structures with built-in self-righting measures to counteract a loss of flotation due to damage. The vessels can be deployed on interception missions. To this end, there are two large rubber dinghies and a helicopter on board. Each vessel is armed with a 27-mm automatic canon and two automatic mid-calibre rifle systems. The Royal Netherlands Navy is thus once again fully equipped for the challenges and threats of today and tomorrow.