Increased capabilities for Hellenic Coast Guard

A new procurement programme for the acquisition of fast coastal patrol boats will be initiated in 2019 by the Hellenic Coast Guard. The programme entails the procurement of 13+5 fast coastal patrol boats and will be funded by the EU (Operational Programme for Fisheries and Sea (OPFS) 2014-2020).

The procurement cost stands at 33.8 million Euros for 13 boats, but the programme also includes an option to purchase an additional 5 boats at the cost of 13 million euros.

What are the core requirements of the competition? 

According to the technical requirements published by the Hellenic Coast Guard HQ, the boats that can participate in the international competition must be 16-19.5 meters (LOA) long.

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In addition, the technical requirements state that boats should be newly constructions, and should be able to operate for more than 20 years and be usable for 1,500 hours per annum.

POB24. Source: George Tsiboukis

With regards to the hull construction, all boats must have a deep-V design, while the hull and superstructure should be built either of aluminium alloys suitable for use in a marine environment, or of a high-tech composite material (preferably Kevlar or even FRP-GRP), or of a combination of the materials mentioned above.

The boat should be able to accommodate 6 crewmembers and 9 passengers, and must also have medical evacuation capabilities.

Two main diesel engines driving either propellers or water jets are also a core requirement of the competition. This would provide the watercraft with the ability to travel at a maximum speed of 45 knots with full load (at 95% of continuous full use of the engines), at Douglas Scale Sea State 0-2, maximum cruising speed 35 knots with full load (at 75% of continuous full use of the engines), at Douglas Scale Sea State 0-2.

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Last of all,  an operational range of 400 nautical miles and the ability to operate for two full days is also required.

The new boats should be able to perform the following missions:

• Surveillance
• Policing
• Search and rescue
• Anti-smuggling
• Fishery control
• Maritime safety and security
• Law enforcement
• Protection of the marine environment
• National security and defence
• Border control

Navigation requirements

The boat should be equipped with one navigation radar; one full stabilized panoramic electro-optic system for operation by day and night (equipped with a cooled MWIR (Mid Wave Infrared) thermal camera and a Laser Rangefinder/Laser Pointer) and a satellite communication station (INMARSAT – FLEET BROADBAND FB-250) and communication systems (VHF/DSC, VHF Airband, MF/HF/DSC & UHF).

Weaponisation

Weaponisation is also a core requirement. The competition specifies that the vehicle should have one stabilized Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (LRCWS) controlled by one member of the crew, equipped with one 12.7x99mm M2HB-QCB Machine Gun or one 7.62x51mm FN MAG 58 Machine Gun.

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The weapon station should incorporate a stabilized electro-optic day and night system equipped with a cooled MWIR (Mid Wave Infrared) thermal camera and a Laser Rangefinder.

Finally, the boats should also have two 7.62x51mm FN MAG 58 Machine Guns equipped with night vision systems.

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