Damen Shipyards Group and Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands have signed a contract for the construction of three new medium-sized patrol vessels for the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.
The contract was established following a public tender procedure. The new cutters will replace the current vessels in the Caribbean, which have been in service for more than 25 years. The new cutters are expected to become operational at the beginning of 2029.
The cutters that Defence is purchasing for the Coast Guard will be responsible for, among other tasks, maritime surveillance, interception, and assistance at sea in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
These tasks include:
- policing duties
- border control
- maritime patrols
- search and rescue operations at sea.
Larger and more modern vessels for the Coast Guard
The current cutters — Jaguar, Panter, and Poema — entered service at the end of the 1990s. These vessels, built by Damen Shipyards Group under the Stan Patrol 4100 model, have performed reliable work for many years. However, due to their age, maintenance and operational costs have increased significantly. For this reason, they will be replaced by a new generation of patrol vessels.
The new cutters will be of the Stan Patrol 5009 model and will be approximately 50 meters long, making them larger than the current vessels. This is important because sea conditions in the Caribbean can often be extreme.
The new vessels will also be equipped with modern sensors, including advanced radar systems and infrared cameras. This will allow the crew to maintain effective surveillance even at night or in conditions of poor visibility. As a result, the operational effectiveness of the Coast Guard will be enhanced, strengthening its ability to carry out its missions.
Larger and faster interceptor boats
In addition to the cutters, Damen Shipyards Group will also supply four interceptor boats. Each cutter will carry one of these interceptor boats on board.
These vessels are designed to intercept fast smuggling boats, commonly known as “go-fast” boats. These types of boats are frequently used to transport drugs throughout the Caribbean.
An additional interceptor boat will also be available for training rotations and maintenance periods.
The new interceptor boats will be larger than the current ones, allowing them to maintain their speed much better in high waves and rough sea conditions.
With the arrival of the new cutters and interceptor boats, the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard will acquire modern equipment better suited to its operational responsibilities in the Caribbean.