Written by D-Mitch
 |
The two coastal patrol vessels of the Belgian Navy
|
The Belgian Navy, officially the Belgian Maritime Component (Marinecomponent) of the Belgian Armed Forces, provides the maritime component of Belgium’s defence capabilities. The Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces consists currently of two frigates, five mine hunters, two offshore patrol vessels, one command and support ship and one oceanographic ship, all located in the Belgian naval base in Zeebrugge. The Navy also operates a sail training ship, a number of tugs and a large number of rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), the majority of them carried by the naval units. It is a small but modern and very capable naval force and will be even more capable in the future thanks to two major projects which will provide six new multi-mission large minehunters and two multi-mission frigates. In this article we will analyze the patrol boats.
 |
| The two coastal patrol vessels of the Belgian Navy |
 |
Dioscuri twins
|
 |
Dioscuri twins
|
The Belgian Navy acquired in 2014-15 two very modern coastal patrol vessels within the framework of the Ready Duty Ship (RDS) program. The Navy selected the French shipyard SOCARENAM for the construction of the vessels. The first RDS, the Castor (P-901) was delivered in July 2014, 18 months after the order, while the second, Pollux (P-902), in April 2015. The missions of the Dioscuri twins (the pair, in Greek mythology, were regarded as the patrons of sailors) vary and include surveillance of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), illegal fishing control, search and rescue, training, and fighting trafficking and pollution.
 |
| The two coastal patrol vessels of the Belgian Navy |
The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 530 design by Mauric is a 53.5m multi-mission aluminium and steel vessel of 570 tons at full displacement. Their high tensile steel hull and aluminium superstructure dominate in the arena of resistance and longevity full aluminum designs. The propulsion is realized by two MTU 16V4000M73L engines.
 |
| P901 Castor |
 |
P901 Castor
|
 |
| P901 Castor |
 |
| P901 Castor |
 |
| P902 Pollux |
The fully loaded ship can sail at top speed in excess of 22.5 knots, an outstanding performance for a displacement steel hull. On one engine, she can sail at the incredible 17.5 knots speed. The range is about 2,800nm at 16kts cruising speed and 4,500 at 12. This
highly flexible design has exceptional seakeeping performances at
cruising and low patrol speeds and offers great operability, versatility
and reliability to its shipowners.
 |
| P901 Castor |
 |
One of the two RHIBs
|
 |
The stern ramp of Castor
|
The ship features a large 360° wheelhouse. The crew comprises 16 men and women (3 officers) with accommodation designed for 30 persons shared between 15 cabins. There are living areas with cafeteria, officers’ mess and a complete galley for distribution of meals. The ship is classified according to the highest standards of the Bureau Veritas for unlimited navigation in open sea. Its design flexibility allows easy integration of different command and weapon systems, intervention RIBs, deck equipment and sensors, which provides extensive operational capabilities.
 |
| One of the two RIB MST of 7.5m |
The combat system is comprised of two identical interventions Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats (RIB) MST of 7.5m (37 knots max speed), one launched by the stern ramp and the other by a davit. Both RIBs are equipped with Garmin navigation radar. On the deck there is space for one container which can be lifted by a crane installed on board. The container is used for storage and transport of equipment and systems for a variety of special missions (UAV, explosive ordnance disposal, submarine missions, etc.) performed by the vessel.
 |
| Modified photo of a Pollux-class coastal patrol boat. For a high resolution image click here. |
 |
OIP Micro Orbis
|
The SeaDeFNder has excellent features, outperforming its competitors in many areas, the main ones being its very low silhouette (height <680 mm), very light (weight <250 kg), low acquisition price, elevation angles from - 40° to + 70°, while the whole system (electro-optics, stabilization system, armament) is manufactured by the Belgian FN. The control console of the weapon system is located inside the bridge, so that the operator can operate under protection and in direct cooperation with his colleagues. There
are also two mounts for light machine guns. The equipment includes
among others a water cannon with a range of 60 meters installed behind
the bridge, remote controlled searchlights and SATCOM antennas atop the
bridge as well as CCTV. The system of detection includes an OIP Micro Orbis electro-optical sensor and two Hensoldt UK (former Kelvin Hughes)
SharpEye Χ-band and S-band surveillance and navigation radar systems located in the mast at the bridge's roof. Manta Digital Multifunction Displays (MFD’s) provide configurable access to
all tasks critical to navigation - Radar, ECDIS, Conning Displays,
Bridge Alarm Management, greatly improving situational awareness.
PHOTO GALLERY
More than 60 photos by D-Mitch, during a visit to Zeebrugge Naval Base in June 2018
 |
| P902 Pollux |
 |
| Bow view of P902 Pollux |
 |
BNS Pollux patrol vessel
|
 |
| P902 Pollux |
 |
The stem of Pollux
|
 |
View of the superstructure
|
 |
| View of the superstructure |
 |
Signs on the hull that the boat is fitted with bow thrusters
|
 |
Nore the covered RWS (without the cannon)
|
 |
On top of the bridge's roof there are SATCOM domes
|
 |
One of the two RIBs on davit
|
 |
There is space for one container on the deck
|
 |
The bridge with the panoramic view
|
 |
Another view of the bridge. Note the mount near the
sign Pollux for a machine gun
|
 |
The two SharpEye radars are visible
|
 |
The mast, view from the stern
|
 |
Rear view of the mast
|
 |
The stern ramp
|
 |
A small crane is used for the container
|
 |
View of the aft deck
|
 |
One of the two mounts for machine guns
|
 |
View from the wheelhouse deck
|
 |
| The water cannon behind the bridge (covered) |
 |
| The water cannon behind the bridge (covered) |
 |
The small command and control center
|
 |
The console for the RWS
|
 |
Navigation panel
|
 |
MantaDigital display for the navigation system
|
 |
| The aft deck as it is seen from the bridge |
 |
The wheelhouse
|
 |
The very modern bridge
|
 |
Kitchen
|
 |
Spacious living areas all over the boat
|
 |
Cafeteria and dining room
|
 |
| Officers’ mess |
 |
MST RIB on its davit
|
 |
| MST RIB's cockpit |
 |
MST RIB on stern ramp
|
 |
Each RIB has four suspension seats
|
 |
The propulsion system of MST RIB includes a single hydrojet
|
 |
| The propulsion system of MST RIB includes a single hydrojet |
 |
View of the RIB on the stern ramp
|
 |
| View of the RIB on the stern ramp |
 |
Mast and crane are visible
|
 |
Pollux's forecastle
|
 |
The RWS covered
|
 |
The bridge of Pollux
|
 |
| The RWS covered |
 |
Ammunition box
|
 |
The bell of the boat
|
 |
View of the stern
|
 |
| View of the stern |
 |
Ships stationed at Zeebrugge Naval Base
|
 |
Note the kiosks for the change of command in few hours!
|
 |
Another view of BNS Pollux
|
 |
| Another view of BNS Pollux |
 |
Pollux's superstructure and mast
|
 |
| Pollux's superstructure and mast |
 |
My excellent tour guide, Mr. Hubert Rubbens!
A big thank for his support during my two visitis to the Base!
|
No comments:
Post a Comment