Italian Coast Guard To Receive "Luigi Dattilo" Patrol Boat This Year

The second of two multi-purpose vessels commissioned from Fincantieri by the General Command of the Port Authority Corp for the Italian Coast Guard was launched today at Castellammare di Stabia (Naples).

The vessel, due to be delivered by the end of this year, is the twin unit of the “Luigi Dattilo”, launched last December, which will be delivered within this summer.

These ships are designed to operate in open seas in particularly bad marine weather conditions and will be used for search and rescue, anti-pollution and fire-fighting missions and to control illegal immigration. They will also be able to perform complex naval missions for central command. With a length of 94 metres and 16-metre beam, they will be able to reach a top speed of about 18 knots with a range of more than 3,000 miles, and will have a full load displacement of some 3,600 tons. They will be able to accommodate a crew of 38, with room to board 12 additional technicians and 60 shipwreck survivors.

They will also be equipped with four fast rigid-hulled inflatable boats with speeds of up to 35 knots for use in different types of mission and emergency response. Lastly, they will have a landing pad for AB212 or AW139 helicopters.

The ships are also equipped with sophisticated command and control systems and latest-generation radar able to find and follow surface marine pollution and they will have a large stern door to let vehicles enter and be transported on a large working deck.

The real forte of these patrol boats is their innovative hybrid propulsion system, involving an auxiliary diesel-electric engine for use at the low and very low speeds needed when performing surveillance and control missions for long periods, otherwise impossible with traditional propulsion.