The Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) is refreshing its offshore patrol vessel (OPV) fleet, acquiring two new Stan Patrol 4207 patrol vessels to replace three older County-class OPVs, according to a Damen news release.
The new Stan Patrol 4207 vessels were already built and available, therefore radically shortening the acquisition process. Delivery is expected before the end of the year. Damen is performing minor modifications to the vessels before completing the outfitting process. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Sentinel-class fast response cutters are also based on a Damen design.
“We are very proud to announce that the Jamaica Defense Force has once again selected Damen for its fleet requirements,” says Damen Sales Manager Americas Alan Borde. “We are looking forward to seeing these vessels in operation for this much valued client.”
The JDF’s three older County-class OPVs were retired in November 2016, and will be refurbished and refitted to be put up for sale.
Two JDF crews, along with Damen representatives, will sail the vessels to Jamaica when outfitting is completed. The vessels are expected to arrive in January 2017.
The two patrol vessels will replace the existing three Damen-built County-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) currently in the JDF Coast Guard Unit: HMJS Cornwall, HMJS Surrey, and HMJS Middlesex. The three retired OPVs, also based on the Stan Patrol 4207 design, had begun service in 2005 and 2006. The three patrol vessels were decommissioned Nov. 8, 2016, in Port Royal, Jamaica, and all three were handed over to Damen as “trade-ins” on the two new vessels. The three ships will be refurbished and refitted to be put up for sale by Damen.
“A heavy lift ship will collect all three vessels in the coming weeks and transport them to the Netherlands,” said Borde. “Following some updating and repair works at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam, we will offer them for sale via Damen Trading.”