HMBS Nassau (P-61), a 60m Royal Bahamas Defence Force Corvette, has arrived at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam in the Netherlands for an extensive refit. The 17-year old vessel will receive a comprehensive overhaul that comprises full systems and instrumentation replacement.
The P-61 refit is part of the sizeable contract between Damen Shipyards Group and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force: the ‘Sandy Bottom Project’ that the two parties signed in 2014.
This includes the delivery of nine Damen vessels, disaster relief equipment, a bridge simulator, upgrade of various local ports in conjunction with Van Oord and the refit of two Corvettes. Damen is currently finalising the refit of the first Corvette – the HMBS Bahamas P-60 – at a local yard in the Bahamas.
The scope of work in Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam’s planning is extensive. “The P-61 is 17 years old and is in need of a complete refit. So this is going to be a complete renovation project,” notes Tom Mastenbroek, Damen’s Regional Service Manager for the Caribbean.
“The yard will overhaul all the ship’s systems; replacing components where necessary. The main engines will be overhauled by Pon Power. The vessel’s bridge will also be completely renewed.” Additional work also includes steelwork, repainting and full replacement of the vessel inventory.
After their refits, both Corvettes will be very similar – in terms of systems and instrumentation – to the nine newbuild vessels that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has purchased from Damen. These include the Stan Patrol 3007, Stan Patrol 4207 and Stan Lander 5612.
