Bahamas Corvette To Undergo Refit

A 60-metre Royal Bahamas Defence Force Corvette, HMBS Nassau (P-61), has arrived at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam in the Netherlands for an extensive refit.

The 17-year old vessel will receive a comprehensive overhaul that includes full systems and instrumentation replacement, Damen Shipyards Group announced Wednesday

The P-61 refit is part of the sizeable contract between Damen Shipyards Group and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, known as the ‘Sandy Bottom Project’ that the two parties signed in 2014. The contract includes the delivery of nine Damen vessels, disaster relief equipment, a bridge simulator, upgrade of various local ports in conjunction with Van Oord and the refit of two Corvettes.

“The P-61 is 17 years old and is in need of a complete refit. So this is going to be a complete renovation project,” said Tom Mastenbroek, Damen’s Regional Service Manager for the Caribbean.

“The yard will overhaul all the ship’s systems; replacing components where necessary. The main engines will be overhauled by Pon Power. The vessel’s bridge will also be completely renewed.” Mastenbroek added. Additional work also includes steelwork, repainting and full replacement of the vessel inventory.

The P-61 refit is expected to take approximately 9 months. On completion, the vessel will return to the Bahamas on her own keel.