Latest Damen FCS 3307 Patrol vessels for Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited arrive in Nigeria
The latest additions to the modern and diverse fleet operated by Homeland Integrated Offshore Services (Homeland IOS Ltd) have arrived safely in Nigeria and are now being prepared for their first assignments, Damen said in its release. The addition of these vessels brings improved capability to Homeland’s squadron of Damen FCS 3307 Patrol vessels. These are deployed in the Gulf of Guinea to protect and support the offshore assets of Homeland’s clients which include many of the leading international oil companies.
The two new arrivals have been built to the same proven specifications as their sister ships. Key features of the 33-metre vessels include Damen’s trademark Axe Bow hull form that delivers excellent fuel economy and a top speed of 29 knots together with superb manoeuvrability and first-class seakeeping. The power comes from three Caterpillar main engines totalling 3,579 bkW with each driving a fixed pitch propeller via a Reintjes WVS series gearbox. Capable of accommodating up to six crew and twelve security personnel they can remain at sea for up to four weeks and travel 1,200 nm in and around Nigeria’s coastal and offshore oil fields.
The security packages installed by Damen on both vessels are purely defensive. The bridges are bullet proof and armoured ‘citadels’ within the hulls protect non-combatants.
In addition to their security role, each Damen FCS 3307 Patrol has a 75m² cargo deck aft rated at 2.5 tonnes/m² that adds an additional level of versatility and cost effectiveness to the benefit of Homeland’s clients. The decks allow them to deliver equipment and spares to offshore installations without any impairment to their primary security role. Additional equipment specified by HIOSL includes thermal imaging sets, diesel powered SOLAS fast rescue craft and Fuel Trax fuel monitoring systems as well as redundant fuel oil separators to protect the engines and generators from contaminated fuel.
“We continue to invest in state-of-the-art vessels for our fleet so as to maintain our leadership position in servicing Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas sector,” said Dr Louis Ekere, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Homeland Integrated Offshore Services. He went on to say; “We work with many of the international oil companies (IOCs) operating actively in the Gulf of Guinea and these new additions will support them in achieving their strategic global objectives.”
Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited
Homeland was founded in 2006 to support the international oil companies operating in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas fields by providing a wide range of services both onshore and offshore. 13 years later, it operates a sizeable number of vessels that includes fast supply intervention vessels, platform support vessels, anchor handling tug supply ships, security and patrol vessels, tugs and other craft. Homeland IOS Ltd is one of just a few indigenous Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC) in Nigeria with a valid memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Navy for the provision of security services.
Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers around 175 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.
Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.
Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.
For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating (and covered) drydocks, including the longest, 420 x 80 metres, and the widest, 405 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.
