Damen has launched RoRo 5612 for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at its Halong Shipyard in Vietnam.
Constructed as part of the Bahamas’ Sandy Bottom Project , the new vessel is designed to support the defence force in several missions, including law enforcement, aids to navigation (ATON), and replenishment at sea (RAS).
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In addition, the new vessel will support re-supply of defence force bases, as well as disaster relief throughout the region.
Royal Bahamas Defence Force commander Warren Bain said: "With this vessel we will be able to respond to storm warnings faster, pre-deploying emergency supplies to where they are needed.
"We can deploy this vessel wherever it is needed, not only in the Bahamas, but across the entire Caribbean region."
The vessel will feature modular containers housing a field kitchen, emergency power generators, first-aid station, drinking water treatment facilities, and tools to perform repairs.
The modular containers may be placed on board only when required, offering deck space during other occasions.
For disaster relief, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force collaborates with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which has pre-deployed warehouses stocked with provisions needed during emergencies.
The defence force transports such provisions to the location of the disaster.
The Sandy Bottom Project facilitates the decentralisation of Defence Force operations from Coral Harbor in Nassau to more effectively cover the entire island chain.
As part of this project, Damen will deliver four Stan Patrol 4207 vessels and four Stan Patrol 3007 vessels, in addition to the RoRo 5612.
Image: The Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Damen RoRo 5612. Photo: courtesy of Damen Shipyards Group.
