The "Seine", the third of the four new naval support and metropolitan support ships BSAM Loire-class vessel (former BSAH) of the French Navy, was commissioned to active service on 24 July, 2019.
BSAM Loire-Class vessel naval support and metropolitan support ship (Picture source Kership)
The two first BSAMs, the "Loire" and the "Rhône", were commissioned in 2018, the last ship of the series, christened "Garonne" could enter in service with the French navy by the end of the year. The Loire and the Seine will be based in Toulon, while the Rhone and the Garonne will be based in Brest.
The BSAM Rhône entered service on January 2019, as the second of pair following leadship BSAM Loire that forms part of the unarmed support ships serving the French Navy. The newbuild built in Brittany at the Piriou shipyards of Concarneau was developed in a program named the Kership. The joint venture was created in 2013 by Piriou (55%) and DCNS (45%).
Loire-class vessels are designed to perform can a wide range of support missions. It can be used to carry weapons and ammunition, to support submarines and surface ships, to tow underwater antennas, as well as to deploy a pollution control dam.
The BSAM has a towing capacity of 80 tons of traction, a navigation speed of 14 knots and a significant endurance of about 30 days (without refueling). They are fitted with an 8 meters boat, several RHIBs and a crane for loading and unloading containers.
The BSAM has a crew of 17 sailors in addition to an option for 12 people and it has an endurance of about 30 days (without refueling).
