The first of two multi-purpose vessels commissioned from Fincantieri
by the General Command of the Port Authority Corp for the Italian Coast
Guard was launched today at Castellammare di Stabia (Naples).
The ceremony was attended, amongst others, by Chief Inspector Admiral
Francesco Lo Sardo, Deputy Commanding General of the Port Authority
Corps, Rear Admiral Franco G. Persenda, Head of the Coast Guard’s
IVth Division, and Captain Clement Costigliola, representing the Commander
in Chief of the Naval Department for the Ionian Sea and Strait of Otranto
(Taranto), while in attendance for Fincantieri were Angelo Fusco, Executive
Senior Vice President Naval Vessels Italy, and Vincenzo Taormina, Manager
of the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard. The ceremony was also attended
by representatives from the Registro Italiano Navale (RINA - Italy's
ship classification society). |
The
godmother of the ceremony to launch the ship, due to be delivered to
the Coast Guard next spring, was Mrs. Carlotta Dattilo (daughter of
Port Lieutenant Colonel Luigi Dattilo, navy silver medal of honour,
who was represented on this occasion by her grandchildren, Massimo Dattilo
and Carla Di Marcantonio.
These ships are designed to operate in open seas in particularly bad
marine weather conditions and will be used for search and rescue, anti-pollution
and fire-fighting missions and to control illegal immigration. They
will also be able to perform complex naval missions for central command.
With a length of 94 metres and 16-metre beam, they will be able to reach
a top speed of about 18 knots with a range of more than 3,000 miles,
and will have a full load displacement of some 3,600 tons. They will
be able to accommodate a crew of 38, with room to board 12 additional
technicians and 60 shipwreck survivors.
They will also be equipped with four fast rigid-hulled inflatable boats
with speeds of up to 35 knots for use in different types of mission
and emergency response. Lastly, they will have a landing pad for AB212
or AW139 helicopters.
The ships are also equipped with sophisticated command and control systems
and latest-generation radar able to find and follow surface marine pollution
and they will have a large stern door to let vehicles enter and be transported
on a large working deck.
The real forte of these patrol boats is their innovative hybrid propulsion
system, involving an auxiliary diesel-electric engine for use at the
low and very low speeds needed when performing surveillance and control
missions for long periods, otherwise impossible with traditional propulsion.
The ships will meet the most advanced standards certified by the Registro
Italiano Navale (RINA or Italy's ship classification society) and by
the technical team of the General Command of the Port Authority Corps.
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