Damen Shipyards has signed a contract with the Lithuanian Navy for an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 6711-based pollution response and Search and Rescue (SAR) vessel. It will replace an existing unit and strengthen the country’s emergency response capabilities at sea.
The Environmental Projects Management Agency under the Ministry of Environment organised the public procurement. The ceremonial signing event took place in Vilnius on 29 October.
The new vessel will support the Lithuanian Navy in pollution response, search and rescue and a broad range of other maritime security tasks. The Damen OPV 6711 is a proven and versatile platform that can be tailored to a wide range of operational profiles.
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Damen platform with combined capabilities
The Damen vessel brings several essential capabilities together in a single hull. Its primary missions will be pollution incident response, supported by a FiFi 1 firefighting system and DP1 dynamic positioning. Search and rescue missions are supported by two davit-launched boats that will be carried onboard. The vessel can accommodate up to fifty survivors, with medical care provided in a dedicated onboard treatment facility.
A large working deck with a centreline crane allows operations on either side of the vessel. The deck offers storage for up to six 20-foot containers of 15 tonnes each, served by a container transfer system located below the helicopter deck.
The helicopter deck is suitable for a wide range of helicopters up to the size of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, enabling evacuation, including MEDEVAC, and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) missions. A lowered platform at the stern allows the vessel to conduct emergency towing.
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Containerised mission modules
Beyond these core roles, the vessel’s potential for container-based mission systems gives the Lithuanian Navy a modular future ready capability. The Damen OPV 6711 can also embark a wide range of containerised mission modules in various domains.
This includes for unmanned systems, mine countermeasures, hydrographic survey, command and control, diving support, medical support or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). As such, the vessel is a first step towards a future, highly flexible naval force in which the Navy, operating jointly with the wider Lithuanian Armed Forces.
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Performance and seakeeping
The 67.3-metre OPV 6711 combines a top speed of 23 knots with a range of 8000 nautical miles. With a total crew capacity of 24, the vessel offers accommodation for additional personnel, such as embarked mission specialists. Damen’s Sea Axe bow ensures comfortable and efficient operations in demanding sea states, while the ice-class 1D hull is designed for operations in Baltic conditions.
Picture: Artist impression of the SAR Pollution Incident Response OPV 6711 (image Damen).
