South African Navy christens first of three locally-built patrol boats

Photo: Damen

The South African Navy held a naming ceremony for a new patrol vessel on Friday, February 12.

The 62- by 11-metre newbuilding is the first of a planned three multi-mission inshore patrol vessels (MMIPVs) being built for the navy by Damen Shipyards Cape Town. Missions will also include anti-smuggling and anti-illegal fishing operations.

Damen said that the christening was held as a simpler, low-key alternative to a larger launching ceremony, which the navy deemed as impractical due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.


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