Multraship, on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat, handed over the new patrol vessel Enforcer to the Netherlands Coastguard on 15 September. The 53-metre-long vessel will be deployed in the years ahead to safeguard the continuity of coastguard activities in the North Sea.
The work of the Coastguard has expanded in recent years. In response, Rijkswaterstaat Rijksrederij ordered the charter of the Enforcer. With this modern patrol vessel, the Coastguard will maintain its capability for surveillance work, providing assistance and contributing to safety in the North Sea. The Enforcer will provide additional support until the new generation of coastguard vessels goes into service.
Damen Shipyards in Gorinchem built the vessel, which is a Fast Crew Supplier 5009. Multraship from Terneuzen owns the vessel, which will therefore also be responsible for the vessel’s crew and maintenance. The Netherlands Coastguard will have operational command. To carry out the duties in the North Sea, boarding officers from law enforcement agencies such as the police, customs and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee board the vessel.
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Equipment and cleaner operations
The Enforcer has two high-speed boats (RHIBs) for inspections and enforcement at sea. In addition, the vessel also has a large crane, a towing system, a FiFi 1 fire-fighting system and salvage pumps. Thanks in part to the Axe Bow developed by Damen and Delft University of Technology, the vessel has a top speed of 27 knots (some 50 kilometres an hour).
The vessel complies with the Tier-3 emissions standard and runs on HVO100. It therefore fits in with Multraship’s sustainability ambitions and the joint commitment by Rijkswaterstaat and the Netherlands Coastguard to cleaner and more sustainable navigation in the North Sea.
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Industry and government alliance
Multraship is already supplying the Rijksrederij with three Emergency Response and Towing Vessels (ERTVs). Those vessels are used for emergency towage operations and general Coastguard duties. The addition of the Enforcer builds on this successful alliance between government and maritime partners.
The Netherlands Coastguard provides 24-hour assistance, crisis management, enforcement and maritime security in the North Sea. It performs those duties on behalf of six government agencies.
Rijkswaterstaat’s Rijksrederij manages, crews and maintains around 100 vessels for government organisations, including the Netherlands Coastguard. Rijkswaterstaat Vlootexploitatie arranges vessel charters, including the Enforcer, on behalf of Rijksrederij. Its Fleet Renewal programme aims to modernise and make the fleet more sustainable, supporting the continuity of maritime government operations.
Multraship is a Dutch towage and salvage company with international operations and part of the Muller Maritime Group, headquartered in Terneuzen. Its activities include harbour and ocean towage, salvage and wreck removal, and services for offshore energy and marine construction. It operates a modern fleet of tugs, salvage vessels and other vessels.
Picture: The newly chartered Netherlands Coastguard vessel Enforcer at sea (photo Flying Focus).
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