French National Gendarmerie's newest patrol boat arrives in home port

A new patrol boat that was recently delivered to France's National Gendarmerie police force arrived at its home port of Cherbourg for the first time on Monday, June 9.

PCG Rozel is the first unit in a new class of coastal patrol vessels to be operated by the Maritime Gendarmerie, the National Gendarmerie's maritime law enforcement arm. The vessel was built by local shipyard Socarenam to a design by naval architecture firm Mauric.

The vessel has a steel hull, an aluminium superstructure, an LOA of 46 metres, and a beam of 8.5 metres. It also incorporates a stern ramp to be used for the launch and recovery of a 6.5-metre high-speed rigid inflatable boat to enhance the larger patrol vessel's enforcement and rescue capabilities.

Accommodation is available for 15 crewmembers, who will be able to stay out at sea for seven days thanks to the vessel's endurance.

The contract between the National Gendarmerie and Socarenam covers the construction of Rozel and the second boat in the class. If all options are exercised, up to four additional vessels would be delivered.