HNLMS Groningen (P843)

HNLMS Groningen (P843)
HNLMS Groningen
History
Netherlands
Name: Groningen
Builder: Damen Group
Laid down: 9 April 2010
Launched: 21 April 2011
Commissioned: 29 November 2013
General characteristics
Class and type: Holland-class offshore patrol vessel
Displacement: 3.750 gross tons
Length: 108.4 m (355 ft 8 in)
Beam: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Draught: 4.55 m (14 ft 11 in)
Propulsion:
  • RENK CODELOD
  • 2x MAN 12V28/33D diesel engines (5400KW each)
Speed: 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range: 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Endurance: 21 days[1]
Boats & landing
craft carried:
  • 1 × Fast Rescue Boat (FRB)
  • 2 × Fast Raiding Interception and Special Forces Craft (FRISC)
Complement: 54 (+ additional space for 40)
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Thales Integrated Mast
  • SeaMaster 400 SMILE non-rotating air warning radar
  • SeaWatcher 100 active phased array surface detection and tracking radar
  • GateKeeper Electro-optical 360° surveillance system
Armament:
Aircraft carried: 1 x NH90 helicopter[2]
Aviation facilities: fully equipped hangar and flight deck for one medium-sized helicopter

HNLMS Groningen is a Holland-class offshore patrol vessel operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The vessel was built in the Romanian shipyards in Galati, by the Dutch firm Damen Group.[3]

Integrated mast module

The integrated mast module (IMM) has been built to an innovative concept. The mast houses all systems which form the "eyes and ears" of the ship. The ship can efficiently detect pirate and smuggling boats while keeping an eye on the skies as well. For the first time camera, radar and communications antenna systems are merged into one mast structure. This allows the ship to see flying and floating objects. The means of communication in the mast making it possible to carry out worldwide operations in conjunction with aircraft and ships.

Service history

2012

In late 2012 Groningen was exercising with HNLMS Friesland when MV Baltic Ace sank after a collision with another ship. Both Holland-class offshore patrol vessels were searching for survivors.[4]

2014

On 28 April, Groningen departed Den Helder, and went off to the Caribbean for counter-drug operations and coast guard duties. On her way to the Caribbean she will be part of multiple exercises with six other European navies (MAOC-N).

In early June Groningen received an overnight notification from the US Coast Guard. A patrol plane saw a boat, a so-called go-fast, heading north at high speed. An US helicopter on board the ship took off immediately. Groningen itself headed to the specified location off the coast of Panama. When the smugglers heard the helicopter, they jettisoned their cargo. Groningen arrived moments later. The crew managed to fish multiple packages of drugs from the water. They recovered about half of the estimated 300 kilograms (660 lb).

The three smugglers have been arrested and transferred to the Coast Guard.[5] She returned home to vlissingen on 5 September for a short maintenance period.[6]

On 29 December two Russian navy vessel, the destroyer (Vice-Admiral Kulakov and a tug from the Sliva-class) sailed along the Dutch coast being escorted by Groningen.[7]

2015

On 9 August Groningen departed Den Helder for a four-month deployment off the coast of Somalia, as part of the EU anti-piracy mission Atalanta.[8] On 11 December she sailed back into her homeport.[9]

2016

On 5 June, Groningen departed Den Helder, and went off to the Caribbean for counter-drug operations and coast guard duties. The ship will replace HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "The Holland-class OPVs Will Need A Change". Information Dissemination. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  2. ↑ "Oceangoing Patrol Vessel" (in Dutch). Navy Inside. Archived from the original on 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  3. ↑ "The Netherlands: Damen Schelde Naval Starts SAT for Patrol Vessel Zeeland". World Maritime News. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Navy deployed for rescue in North Sea". Ministry of Defence.
  5. ↑ "Patrol Vessel captures drugs in Panama". Ministry of Defence.
  6. ↑ "Groningen back from the West". Ministry of Defence.
  7. ↑ "Groningen escorts Russian navy in North Sea". Ministry of Defence.
  8. ↑ "Patrol Vessel for the first time on anti-piracy mission". Ministry of Defence.
  9. ↑ "Appreciation for returning piracy fighter HNLMS Groningen". Ministry of Defence.
  10. ↑ "Patrol ship with NH90 to Caribbean". Ministry of Defence.
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