WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Damen Workboats for the construction of three new medium-sized patrol vessels for the Caribbean Coast Guard.
The agreement was finalized last Thursday following a public tender process. The new cutters will replace the current patrol vessels operating in the Caribbean, which have been in service for more than 25 years. The new ships are expected to become operational in early 2029.
The Ministry of Defense is acquiring the vessels on behalf of the Caribbean Coast Guard, which is responsible for maritime surveillance, law enforcement and search and rescue operations in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Coast Guard carries out tasks such as border control, maritime patrols, police duties and rescue missions at sea.
Larger ships with modern sensors
The current cutters, Jaguar, Panter and Poema, entered service in the late 1990s. These vessels, built as Damen Stan Patrol 4100 ships, have performed reliably for many years. However, due to their age, maintenance requirements and costs have increased.
They will now be replaced by a new generation of patrol vessels. The new cutters, of the Damen Stan Patrol 5009 type, will measure about 50 meters in length, making them larger than their predecessors. The increased size will improve performance in the sometimes rough sea conditions of the Caribbean.
The new vessels will also be equipped with modern sensors, including advanced radar systems and infrared cameras. These technologies will allow crews to monitor maritime activity more effectively, even at night or in poor visibility.
Faster interceptor boats
In addition to the cutters, Damen will supply four fast interceptor boats. Each patrol vessel will carry one interceptor boat on board. These high-speed vessels are designed to pursue and intercept so-called “go-fast” boats, which are often used in drug trafficking operations in the Caribbean.
An additional interceptor boat will be delivered for training purposes and maintenance rotation.
The new interceptors will be larger than the current models, allowing them to maintain higher speeds even in rough sea conditions.
With the introduction of the new cutters and interceptor boats, the Caribbean Coast Guard will receive modern equipment better suited to its current missions. The new vessels are expected to strengthen maritime security and law enforcement throughout the Caribbean region of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.