The end of June saw two of South Shields based Solar Solve Marine's Technicians travel to Glasgow to install 15 of the company's SOLASAFE roller screens at the navigation bridge windows of the OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) 'Port of Scarborough'.
This is the second in a series of three OPVs for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard.
Previously the same two technicians had completed a similar installation on the first vessel in the series, 'Port of Spain', built by BAE Systems at their Portsmouth facility.
In April 2007, BAE Systems received a UKP150 million (US$ 227 million) contract to build, integrate, test and commission (up to sea trials) three OPVs for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. Construction started in January 2008.
OPV1 'Port of Spain' is being constructed at Portsmouth while OPV2 'Port of Scarborough' and OPV3 'Port of Santa Fe' are being constructed at BAE's Scotstoun facility on the River Clyde in Scotland.
Once commissioned, the vessels will perform a range of Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) management, special operations and maritime law enforcement tasks. They are all being built to the same specifications: 90.5 metres in lenght, 13.5 metres wide, 3.5 metres draught, with a nominal crew of 60 and accommodation for 50 fully equipped troops.
With a maximum speed in excess of 25 knots, they will have a range at 12 knots, of more than 5,500 nautical miles and 35 days endurance. With the ability to conduct helicopter operations the OPV's will have ample deck space for the transport of containers and additional craft and the ability to replenish at sea.
For more information contact:
Tyne and Wear, UK
Solar Solve Marine
www.solasolv.com