The Jamaican Defence Force Coast Guard has taken delivery of three 200-ton offshore patrol vessels. The three vessels, Cornwall, Middlesex, and Surrey, were built by Damen shipyards in the Netherlands, and delivered between 2005 and 2006. The final unit of the class, Surrey, is pictured here while conducting sea trials during October 2006. Measuring 41.8-meters long by 7-meters wide with a draft of 2.5 meters, the new vessels are capable of traveling at 25 knots top speed. Intended for Exclusive Economic Zone patrol, search and rescue, counter-drug operations, and other duties, each carries a crew of 12 plus up to 4 passengers. The three patrol craft are powered by two Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines which allow for a range of roughly 1,800 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots. The Jamaican Defence Force Coast Guard was formed in 1962 and consists of about 250 sailors, including about 60 reservists. Also operated by the JDFCG are about 20 smaller patrol boats, including the 32.3 meter Paul Bogle and 34.5 meter Fort Charles.
This past December, South Korea retired two tank landing ships which had been in service for more than 60 years. The two ships, Unbong (ex-LST-1010) and Weebong (ex-USS Johnson County, LST-849) were built by Bethlehem Shipyard and the American Bridge Shipyard, respectively, and commissioned into service in early 1944. The ships served throughout World War II and the Korean War and were transferred under lease to South Korea in the late 1950s. During the Vietnam War, the two vessels transported South Korean troops to the war zone. Purchased outright from the United States during 1974, the 4,000-ton landing ships were each capable of carrying 1,230 tons of cargo, plus up to 350 troops. After taking part in a combined 191 combat and combat support missions, the landing ships had been showing signs of age for decades and are being replaced by more modern amphibious vessels, such as the Seonginbong, an HDL 4000-class landing ship shown here during recent exercises.
In November 2006, the Canadian Navy accepted Orca, the first of eight new training craft, into service. Built by Victoria Shipyards, the ship names for all eight of the class—Orca, Raven, Grizzly, Wolf, Renard (fox), Caribou, Moose, and Cougar—are derived from Canadian "symbolisms based on various aboriginal cultures." The class will serve as replacements for the aging fleet of YAG 300-class wooden-hulled training launches that have more than 50 years of service. With an overall length of 33 meters and a displacement of 210 tons, the Orca is operated by four sailors along with sixteen trainees and carries up to four spare berths. The craft can cruise for up to 660 nautical miles at 15 knots with a maximum endurance of 4 days and have a maximum speed of 18 knots.
Combat Fleets
By Eric Wetheim, Editor, <i>Combat Fleets of the World</i>