Security Vessel News Roundup | July 22 – New fireboats for Florida, Russian inland hospital ship's sea trials and more
Two operators in Florida have taken delivery of locally built fireboats while the Indian Navy recently commissioned its newest submarine rescue ship. A Russian hospital ship designed for inland waters has completed undergoing sea trials. Finally, a Swedish firm has proposed new assault boats for the Japanese military.
Sea trials completed for new Russian inland hospital ship
Russian shipbuilder Port Kolomna has completed conducting sea trials of a new hospital ship designed for operation in inland waters.
Classed by the Russian Classification Society (RKO), the Project 132PK vessel has been named Saint Luke (Святитель Лука; Svyatitel Luka) in honour of a Ukrainian-born Russian physician and cleric who is also venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Indian Navy commissions new submarine rescue ship
The Indian Navy commissioned its newest dive support vessel (DSV) during a ceremony in Visakhapatnam on Friday, July 18.
The 118-metre INS Nistar, named after the Sanskrit for “rescue,” is the first in a planned class of two long-endurance DSVs that will be used primarily for the rescue of crews of distressed submarines. Construction took place at the Visakhapatnam facilities of Hindustan Shipyard.
Swedish-built assault boats proposed for Japan Ground Self-Defence Force
Swedish defence shipbuilder Saab has proposed the supply of examples of its CB90-class fast assault boats to the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF), a representative of the company has confirmed.
The aluminium-hulled craft are being viewed as potential platforms from which to conduct small-scale troop landings (typically no more than 18 personnel) at beaches that the JGSDF's amphibious vessels cannot access due to size and draught restrictions.
Florida's Fort Walton Beach Fire Department acquires new response boat
The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department in the Florida Panhandle has taken delivery of a new fireboat built by Silver Ships of Theodore, Alabama.
The welded aluminium vessel is equipped to handle a broad range fire protection and medical support needs on the water. It is outfitted with twin Suzuki 300hp (200kW) outboard engines and equipped with an engine protection and crash guard.
Metal Shark delivers new 40-foot fireboat to Tampa Fire Rescue
US boat builder Metal Shark has delivered a new 40-foot welded aluminum pilothouse fireboat to Tampa Fire Rescue in Florida. The vessel was designed in-house by Metal Shark and built at the company’s Jeanerette, Louisiana, production facility.
The fireboat is the first of two such vessels being built for the department, with a second scheduled for delivery in 2026. It is powered by three 300 hp (220 kW) Yamaha outboard engines with joystick controls.
North Korea vows to build new navy destroyer by October 10, 2026
North Korean officials and shipyard workers pledged to complete the construction of a new navy destroyer, the third Choe Hyon-class ship, by October 10 next year, state news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday.
"The workers, engineers, and officials of the Nampo Shipyard, which is a reliable large-scale shipbuilding base and is honored for its tradition and power of self-reliance, have resolved to build another new destroyer by October 10, 2026, with the momentum and spirit of opening a breakthrough in the historic cause of rapidly emerging Korea as a maritime power in the 21st century with the excellent construction of the first multi-purpose destroyer of the new generation," said KCNA.
