Latvia has officially integrated the Barta patrol vesselafter an extensive modernization process carried out in Estonia.
The unit was accepted into service by the Latvian State Border Guard during a solemn flag-raising ceremony held in the city of Liepaja.
The information was released by the Estonian company Baltic Workboats, responsible for the repair and modernization of the ship. According to the company, the Barta represents a “second life” project: originally built in 2016 by Damen, the vessel has been completely renovated in its shipyard, receiving upgrades that extend its operational life and adapt it to more modern operational and sustainability requirements.
In a statement, Baltic Workboats said the ceremony marked the successful completion of the project and highlighted the growing importance of modernization programs in its portfolio, as an alternative to building new vessels.
History of the unit
Before the upgrade, the Barta was known as Osamede and was the fourth patrol vessel of Damen’s FCS 3307 project. The unit was built in 2015 in the Damen shipyard in Singapore with the original name Defender IX and belonged to the Strickland Services company of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
At the time, Strickland operated at least ten FCS 3307 units under contracts to protect oil and gas installations in Nigerian waters. In July 2022, the vessel arrived in Cape Town from Nigeria, where it was put up for sale, with ownership subsequently returned to Damen.
No specific technical details about the modifications carried out by the Estonian shipyards during the modernization process were disclosed.
Features of the FCS 3307
The standard FCS 3307 patrol vessel is 33 meters long and has a displacement of approximately 168 tonnes. It is equipped with three main engines Caterpillar C32 ACERT twelve-cylinder, four-stroke engine, with a power of 1,600 hp (1,193 kW) each, which drive three propellers and allow an operating speed of up to 30 knots.
The design adopts the Damen Sea Ax Bow, which improves seakeeping in rough sea conditions. Auxiliary systems include two Caterpillar C4.4T generators of 59 kW each and a 75 kW transverse bow thruster, which increases maneuverability. The unit also has firefighting equipment, including a monitor with a capacity of 180 m³/h.
The declared range is up to 1,200 nautical miles at 30 knots. The aft working deck offers a surface area of 75 m², with a load capacity of 2.5 t/m². The standard crew consists of six people, with additional space for up to 12 members of observation or boarding parties.
For patrol missions, the FCS 3307 can be equipped with machine gun positions, as well as the possibility of strengthening the command bridge with armor plates and ballistic glazing.
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Source and images: Baltic Workboats | X @LiepajaSEZ | Military. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial staff.
