OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL (OPV) (P71)
| Displacement (tonnes) | Over 2000 tonnes (full load) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (metres – feet) | 74.8 x 13 |
| Speed (knots) | Over 40 knots |
| Range (NM) | 2,100 at 16kts |
| Complement | 25 (4 Officers) |
| Machinery | x2 Wartsila medium speed diesel engines of 5,440kW each, hybrid propulsion system provided by two electric motors |
| Guns | x1 25mm remotely controlled weapon and light machine guns of varying caliber |
| Radars | 2D surveillance radar, navigation radars and satellite communications |
| Helicopters | Platform is capable to take 1 x Medium Helicopter |
With a full load displacment of over 2,000 tons, a length and breath of 74.8 and 13 meters respectively, and a draft of 3.8 meters, the OPV P71 can accommodate a crew of nearly 50 and an additional 20 Special Operations Unit. The ship has an aft flight deck, with equipment for day and night flight operations as well as refuelling for a helicopter up to 7 tons such as the AW139 supplied to the Armed Forces of Malta. The aft area below the flight deck features a launch and recovery ramp for a 9.1-meter RHIB ( Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) with additional space for materials and personnel as well as hatches on the flight deck above for loading / unloading materials thanks to a special service crane placed on the side of the vessel.
A secondstation also for an additional RHIB of 9.1 meters is located on the starboard side of the platform in the central area of the shipwith compensated A-frame crane to launch and retrieve the RHIB even with the vessel underway. Both RHIBs reach speeds of over 40 knots and are designed for multitude of missions. The main propulsion of the P71 is provided by two Wartsila medium speed diesel engines of 5,440 kW each, which allows the ship to reach a maximum speed of over 20 knots. The ship also features a hybrid propulsion system provided by two electric motors that propel the ship at speeds of up two 12 knots using only the onboard diesel generators. This setup allows greater efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. The vessel is also equipped with two transverse thrusters, one forward and one aft, and retractable active stabillizing fins that guarantee improved stability and seakeeping. Designed and built under surveillance of the US naval registry ABS, the P71 is equipped with a 25mm remotely controlled weapon and light machine guns of varying caliber while the integrated command, control and navigation system includes a 2D surveillance radar, navigation radars and satellite communications.
The cost of the vessel was around 50 million euros following the award contract to Cantiere Navale Vittoria after a. competitive international tender process. This did not cover just the cost of the vessel but also covered a Service Support Package which included a warranty period of up to 3 years, a spare parts package, the delivery of the vessel, training and accommodation for the entire crew (40) in Italy, an end of warranty docking after 2 years from delivery of the vessel, a warranty engineer on site and a significant number of equipment and tools necessary for the crew to operate the vessel safely.
OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL (OPV) (P61)
| Displacement (tonnes) | 399 (full load) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (metres – feet) | 53.4 x 8.1 x 5.4 – 175.2 x 26.57 x 17.72 |
| Speed (knots) | 23 |
| Range (NM) | 2,100 at 16kts |
| Complement | 25 (4 Officers) |
| Machinery | 2 Caterpillar 3516C V16 Diesel Engines; 2350kw, 2 Shafts |
| Guns | 1 x OTO BREDA 25mm; 2 x 12.7mm MGs |
| Radars | Surface Search E/F-Band; Navigation I-Band |
| Helicopters | Platform is capable to take 1 x Medium Helicopter |
Financed through the 5th Italo-Maltese Protocol. The contract was signed on 12 March 2004 with Fincantieri S.P.A Italy for the construction of one offshore vessel. P61 was commissioned on 03 November 2005. The contract included a training and logistics package. P61’s design is based on the ‘DICIOTTI’ (modified SAETTIA) class vessels in service with the Italian Coast Guard ,however, upgraded and modified with a helicopter deck and stern ramp for launching a 7 metre RHIB. With a full load displacment of over 2,000 tons
