As a large island nation with an extensive maritime industry, Taiwan relies heavily on its coast guard to provide for the safety and security of all the vessels and mariners that traverse its waters.
The organisation's diverse fleet of vessels and aircraft is responsible for patrolling over 1,800km of coastline and more than 540,000km2 of Taiwan's ocean territory. The Taiwanese Coast Guard has built a strong relationship with local builder Jong Shyn Shipbuilding, which not only supplies the Guard with many of their vessels but is also responsible for the maintenance and repair of their fleet.
The shipyard was recently contracted by the Coast Guard for the design and construction of a powerful new offshore patrol boat. Named 'Hsun Hu No. 7', the vessel was delivered in October.
The 1,000 tonne-class patrol vessel measures 84.5 metres in overall length with a beam of 12.5 metres and depth to main deck of 7.5 metres. Hull construction is of steel with the superstructure constructed from aluminium for lightness and improved stability.
The slender, naval style hull has clean lines with a raised forecastle and a transom stern with an integrated launching ramp for the launch and retrieval of the vessel's fast rescue boat.
The engine room is outfitted with twin Caterpillar C280-12 main engines, each outputting 4,060kW at 1,000rpm. Driving through ZF gearboxes to a pair of four-bladed propellers, which provide the vessel with a maximum speed of 20 knots and a fully loaded cruising speed of around 12 knots. Steering is provided by large area rudders hung behind each prop while a single side thruster is installed in the bow for additional manoeuvrability.
A 40-person crew is carried with accommodation provided in a mixture of single and double cabins. A large mess and crew recreation area are provided for off-duty personnel. The full-span wheelhouse provides a clear command position with excellent visibility over the boat decks as well as out to the horizon.
The vessel's daughter rescue craft is carried on the aft ramp ready for immediate deployment. Also built by Jong Shyn, the rescue craft is a large model capable of carrying out independent operations as well as supporting her mother ship in boarding, rescue and shallow-water duties.
Founded in 1985, Jong Shyn Shipbuilding has absorbed a number of other shipyards over the years, emerging today as one of Taiwan's leading shipbuilding conglomerates. In addition to its role as a supplier of patrol vessels and other similar craft to Taiwan's Coast Guard and Navy, the company also produces a wide variety of deep-sea fishing vessels, ferries, tugs, work boats and yachts.