Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published Mar 14, 2022 12:11 PM by The Maritime Executive

[By: Damen Shipyards Group]

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, officially commissioned HMC Sentinel for duty in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters during a ceremony at Custom House on March 2nd. The vessel was presented by Acting Collector of Customs John Payas, before receiving a blessing from Monsignor Azzopardi in the presence of the Chief Minister and HE the Governor Sir David Steel.

HMC Sentinel is a Damen Interceptor 1503 FRP. The vessel is a custom-built prototype, the first of its kind, and is the result of a 3-year project with extensive co-operation between Damen Shipyards and it’s client, HM Customs. Specific wishes for performance and equipment were incorporated into the design, resulting in an impressively expedient patrol boat.

14.5m in overall length, Interceptor 1503 FRP can carry 5 crew and 10-12 passengers. With a top speed of 62.5 knots powered by 4 Mercury Verado 400 R outboard engines, it is believed to be the fastest vessel in the bay of Gibraltar. She is the largest and most capable vessel ever commissioned into service with HM Customs Gibraltar.

The vessel’s hull and superstructure are composed of e-glass and carbon reinforced epoxy, the interior accommodation features Ullman Atlantic Shock absorber seats, a stretcher and toilet and galley facilities to support long shifts at sea. HMC Sentinel is fitted with the latest in nautical and communication equipment, including fixed and portable searchlights, radar and GPS.

Carlos Gonzalez Martin, Damen Sales Manager for Gibraltar, comments: “This state-of-the-art vessel represents a great collaboration between Damen and Her Majesty’s Customs at Gibraltar. The Interceptor 1503 provides a reliable, top-performing vessel, while at the same time, ensuring a safe and comfortable operation for the crew.”

The Gibraltar Collector of Customs, John Payas, said: ‘I am extremely proud to present HMC Sentinel, which represents a new phase in the development of HM Customs’ maritime operations in terms of capability and operability. Her high speed, enclosed cabin and robustness afford enhanced protection to our officers whilst carrying out their duties in the often volatile and challenging environment that are the British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. Furthermore, her on board amenities allow for greater comfort affording longer patrol times and increased presence.’  

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

Published Apr 21, 2022 12:19 AM by The Maritime Executive

On Tuesday morning, a floating drydock at the small port of Saka, Japan partially sank alongside a pier.  The dock is a 180 foot by 110 foot platform used for repairing smaller vessels and for scrapping. The Hiroshima Maritime Security Department said that it received a report about the sinking from a ship repair facility at about 0810 hours on Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported, and the floating dock released only a small quantity of fuel into the water. ...

Published Apr 20, 2022 11:47 PM by The Maritime Executive

After the loss of the cruiser Moskva to Ukrainian anti-ship missiles last week, the Russian Navy has assigned a destroyer from its Pacific Fleet to demonstrate Russia's naval air-defense capabilities - particularly for use in the defense of Russian merchant shipping. The Udalay-class destroyer Admiral Panteleev was selected to lead the mock exercise. "According to the plan of the exercise, the air defense crews of the ship covered the medium sea tanker Izhora . . . from a mock enemy...

Published Apr 20, 2022 9:08 PM by The Maritime Executive

The lost Russian cruiser Moskva may have gone down with a (purported) piece of the True Cross on board, according to Russian state media.  The 19th-century reliquary was donated to the Black Sea Fleet by an anonymous private collector in 2020, according to the archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church's Sevastopol district, Sergiy Khalyuta. It was intended for the chapel aboard the Moskva.  The relic entered private hands when "European churches began to close and sell their property," state-owned outlet...

Published Apr 20, 2022 8:26 PM by The Maritime Executive

A week after the WWII-era destroyer the USS The Sullivans began taking on water, divers and drones were finally able to survey the extent of the hull breach. The U.S. Coast Guard joined the efforts to survey the vessel and begin to determine a plan to stabilize and salvage the destroyed turned museum ship.  Commissioned in 1943, the destroyer saw active duty in both the Second World War and the Korean War. It later was assigned to the U.S. 6th...

© Copyright 2022 The Maritime Executive, LLC. All rights reserved.