Latvia Navy Accepts Locally-built Patrol Boat
Patrol boat 'Viesite', built in the country's Riga Shipyard, has been accepted by Latvia's Ministry of Defence. The building of patrol ship Viesīte was started June 17th, 2009 and it is third of five new SWATH type patrol ships built for the Latvian Navy, this vessel having been completely built in JSC “Rīgas kuģu būvētava”. Other patrol boats in the newbuilding project were in attendance including Skrunda and Cēsis, as well as headquarters and procurement ship Varonis. These twin-hull patrol ships can be used for military purposes as well as for civilian ones.
Latvian Navy Orders Patrol Boats
Abeking & Rasmussen has secured an order for five 25m SWATH@A&R Patrol Boats. The vessels for the Latvian Navy will be designed by A&R and constructed and delivered in co-operation with Riga Shipyard. The new vessels will derive from the well proven SWATH pilot boats, which are in operation since 1999 in the German Bight and recently in the Dutch Waters. They will have the same main dimensions and underwater ship with a complete new propulsion and accommodation concept. The new vessels will feature a modular mission bay at the fore ship.