The first Ocean Eagle 43 trimaran ocean patrol vessel ordered by the Mozambican government was launched in January 2015. The vessel is built by French shipyard Construction Mecanique de Normandie (CMN) to meet the naval operational needs of marines and to support special operations forces.
The vessel is intended for sea policing, surveillance of exclusive economic and fishing zones, search and rescue (SAR), safety and State action at sea, protection of vulnerable vessels and offshore installations, monitoring of marine environment, escort operations, counter speedboats, asymmetric threats and the boarding of terrorists. It is also used for combating illicit trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration, terrorism and piracy at sea.
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Its modular design allows it to be configured for special operations support, side scan sonar operation, coastline surveying and coastal oceanography.
Its mine hunting variant, Ocean Eagle 43 MH was unveiled during the 24th EURONAVAL International Naval Defence and Maritime Exhibition and Conference held in October 2014 in Paris, France.
Ocean Eagle 43 construction
CMN finalised a contract with the Mozambican Government for the construction of three Ocean Eagle 43 trimaran ocean patrol vessels in September 2013.
The vessel is designed by NIGEL IRENS DESIGN, while structural building for all the three vessels was carried out by H2X under a contract signed with CMN in December 2013. Participants involved in the Ocean Eagle 43 programme also include Prezioso Linjebygg, ProLarge, and SeaTeam Aviation.
H2X rolled out the first Ocean Eagle 43’s central hull in July 2014 and delivered it to CMN shipyard in Cherbourg in September 2014. The second and third hulls were delivered in December 2014 and February 2015 respectively.
Design and features of the ocean patrol vessel
The Ocean Eagle 43 features versatile design and multi-hull structure comprised of a very slender main hull with two small floats. It is classified by Bureau Veritas classification society. Its hull and superstructures are made from lightweight composite materials such as epoxy, glass and carbon.
The vessel has an overall length of 43.6m, overall beam of 15.7m and maximum draught of 1.6m. It weighs 75t and can accommodate a crew of 13 personnel. It is equipped with a launch pad to operate fixed- or rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
It is also fitted with a stern launching ramp to deploy a 7m outboard rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) for the shipment of goods, policing intervention, and other special naval operations.
Mission systems
Typical mission systems aboard the maritime surveillance vessel include electro-optical observation system, radar sensors, radio direction finder, command and control system, air-sea radio transmission of satellite data and an integrated navigation system.
Armament of Ocean Eagle 43 patrol vessel
The Ocean Eagle 43 is armed with one 20mm remotely-controlled gun turret and two 12.7mm side guns for self-defence.
Propulsion
The vessel runs on four 500hp diesel engines driving two controllable pitch propellers. It also incorporates three generating sets. Its carries up to 21m³ of fuel and 2m³ of fresh water.
Performance of the ocean patrol trimaran
The Ocean Eagle 43 maritime surveillance vessel can reach maximum speeds up to 30k. It has a range of 3,000nmi at a speed of 18k and 5,000nmi at 12k.
Its trimaran structure provides improved fuel economy, high reliability and extended endurance. It also offers increased comfort under difficult sea conditions.
