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Revised: September 21, 2007
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Jean Charles Barroux - jbarroux@LAMilitary.org
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force crews a set of patrol crafts and boats to perform the coast guard duties. It's main base is HMBS Coral Harbour, in the New Providence island. The main missions of this force are; interdiction of seaborne immigrants (mostly Haitians and Cubans), counter drug, search and rescue, EEZ patrol and disaster relief.
In 1975 an order was placed to Vosper Thornycroft, E.U. (UK) for £ 5M which included two 103-foot class patrol crafts (Marlin & Flamingo) as well as three 60-foot class patrol boats.
The only combat experience of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force happened when HMBS P02 Flamingo was sunk on May 10 1980 by two Cuban FAR MiG-21s during an incident in which Flamingo had arrested two Cuban fishing vessels. Then two FAR MiG-21s, at the command of Coronel Jorge Vilardel and Mayor Juan Colina, were dispatched to overfly the Ragged islands and to sink the Flamingo, which they did killing four crews and injuring three others. The crew lost were Fenrick Sturrup, Austin Smith, David Tucker and Edward Williams and their bodies were never found. The survivors as well as the Cuban fishermen took refuge on land. The next day the FAR MiG-21s did overfly again Duncan Town on Ragged Island performing mock attacks while Mi-8 helicopters landed troops. As soon as they recovered the fishermen the troops left. Cuba paid £ 2.5M latter in reparations after admitting this to be an error.
With the two new Bahamas class patrol boats, built by the Halter Marine Group, in operation this force has seen a quantic leap in capabilities. This order included the option for four 43-m class (Nassau) patrol boats at US$ 36M cost, but it was never exercised and ended up being cancelled in 2000.
As could be expected, a large number of small launches and RIBs are in use.
Displacement: 375 tons full load Dimensions: 60.62 x 8.90 x 2.60 meters Propulsion: 3 shafts; 3 Caterpillar 3508 DITA diesels, 3,900 bhp, 24 knots Range: 3,000/15 Endurance: 21 days Fuel: --- tons Electric: --- kVA Crew: 35 Troops: 28 Radar: 2 x --- navigation Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 1 x 25 mm Mk 88 Bushmaster low-angle gun, 3 x 7.62 mm MGs (I x 3) Builder: Halter Marine Group, Moss Point Marine, Missisipi, U.S.A. Notes: Steel hull with aluminium superstructures. Ordered 14/Mar/1997. First unit had keel laid on 19/Dic/1997. Both were commissioned 27/Jan/2000. Cost was US$ 13M each. They are based at Prince George Dock in Nassau because Coral Harbour is too shallow for them. Accommodations for a total crew of 62. The 25 mm Mk 88 Bushmaster low-angle gun is mounted in a Kollmorgen Mk 98 stabilized mounting. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P60 Bahamas 2000 RBDFCG Prince George P61 Nassau 2000 RBDFCG Prince George
Displacement: 100 tons full load Dimensions: 33.00 x 6.73 x 2.10 meters Propulsion: 3 shafts; 3 General Motors 16V149 TIB diesels, 5,400 bhp (3,970 kW), 30 knots (26 sustained) Range: 1,400/14, 300/24 Endurance: --- days Fuel: 16 tons Electric: 100 kW Crew: 21 (3 officers) Radar: 1 x Furuno FR-701 navigation Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 1 x Oerlikon Mk.7A 20 mm 70 cal. AA, 2 x 7.62 mm MGs (I x 2) Builder: Fairey Marine, Cowes, E.U. (UK) Notes: Steel hull with aluminium superstructures. Ordered Dic/1984. Have Racal MNS 2000 navigation system. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P03 Yellow Elder 1986 RBDFCG Coral Harbour P04 Port Nelson 1986 RBDFCG Coral Harbour P05 Samana 1986 RBDFCG Coral Harbour
Displacement: 15 tons full load Dimensions: 12.2 x 3.86 x 0.69 meters Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 Caterpillar 3208TA diesels, 850 bhp (510 kW), 720 bhp sustained, 28 knots Range: 200/30, 400/22 Endurance: --- hours Fuel: 250 gallons Electric: --- kVA Crew: 5 Radar: 1 x Raytheon R40X navigation Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm MGs (I x 2), 2 x 7.62 mm MGs (I x 2) Builder: SeaArk, Monticello, Arkansas, U.S.A. Notes: Aluminium hull. U.S.A. Grant Aid ordered in 1995. P 43 was in command of a Chief Petty Officer in January 2002. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P42 --- 1996 RBDFCG Coral Harbour P43 --- 1996 RBDFCG Coral Harbour
Displacement: 8 tons full load Dimensions: 8.23 x 1.7 x 0.3 meters Propulsion: 2 x Evinrude gasoline outboards, 450 bhp (330 kW), 26 knots Range: --- Endurance: --- hours Fuel: --- gallons Electric: --- kVA Crew: 4 Radar: 1 x --- navigation Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 1 x 7.62 mm MG (I x 1) Builder: Boston Whaler, Edgewater, Florida, U.S.A. Notes: GRP hull. Fitted for rescue and towing. Normally under the command of a Chief Petty Officer. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P41 --- 1995 --- ---
Displacement: 2.25 tons full load Dimensions: 6.81 x 2.26 x 0.36 meters Propulsion: 2 x Mariner gasoline outboards, 180 bhp (130 kW), 40 knots Range: 167/40, 750/-- Endurance: --- hours Fuel: 243 litres Electric: --- kVA Crew: 3 Radar: None. Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: None. Builder: Boston Whaler, Edgewater, Florida, U.S.A. Notes: GRP hull with semi-rigid inflatable gunwhale. Fitted for rescue and towing. Usually in command of a Leading Seaman or an Able Seaman. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P110 --- 1995 --- --- P111 --- 1995 --- ---
Displacement: 1.5 tons full load Dimensions: 6.81 x 2.26 x 0.36 meters Propulsion: 2 x Mariner gasoline outboards, 180 bhp (130 kW), 35 knots Range: 167/35, 750/-- Endurance: --- hours Fuel: 243 litres Electric: --- kVA Crew: 3 Radar: None. Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: None. Builder: Boston Whaler, Edgewater, Florida, U.S.A. Notes: Standard "Whaler". Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P112 --- 1995 --- --- P113 --- 1995 --- ---
Displacement: 109 tons full load
Dimensions: 31.5 x 5.9 x 1.6 meters
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 Paxman Ventura 12CM diesels,
2,900 bhp (2,130 kW), 24 knots
Range: 2,000/13
Endurance: --- days
Fuel: --- tons
Electric: --- kVA
Crew: 19 (3 officers)
Radar: 1 x Decca 1226 navigation
Fire Control: None.
EW: None.
Armament: 1 x Oerlikon 20 mm 70 cal. AA, 2 x 7.62 mm MGs (I x 2), 2 x 50 mm
flare launchers
Builder: Vosper Thornycroft, E.U. (UK)
Notes: Order placed in 1975. Steel hull, fin stabilisers. P02 Flamingo
was sunk on May 10 1980 by two Cuban FAR MiG-21s during an incident in
which Flamingo had arrested four Cuban fishing vessels. Cuba paid £ 2.5M
latter in reparations after admitting this to be an error.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
P01 Marlin 1978 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 2000
P02 Flamingo 1978 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Sunk 11/May/1980 by Cuban FAR MiG-21 aircraft.
Displacement: 87 tons full load Dimensions: 28.96 x 6.1 x 1.55 meters Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 General Motors 16V149 TI diesels, 2,470 bhp (1,815 kW), 24 knots Range: 556/23, 1,900/11.5 Endurance: --- days Fuel: --- tons Electric: 60 kW Crew: 14 Radar: 1 x Raytheon AN/SPS-64 (v) 1 navigation Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm MGs (I x 2), 2 x 40 mm grenade launcher Mk 64 Builder: USCG Yard, Curtis Bay, Maryland, U.S.A. Notes: Upgraded in 1978 and 1981. Were transferred for antinarcotics duties. They all have been stricken. P08 Austin Smith was sunk on purpose off Highbourne Cay along Eleuthera in 60 feet of water making it a great wreck dive. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P06 Fenrick Sturrup 1958/88 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1995, ex-Cape Shoalwater, ex-WPB 95324 P07 David Tucker 1953/86 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1996, ex-Cape Upright, ex-WPB 95303 P08 Austin Smith 1959/86 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1996, ex-Cape York, ex-WPB 95332 P09 Edward Williams 1953/86 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1996, ex-Cape Current, ex-WPB 95307 P10 San Salvador II 1955/89 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1996, ex-Cape Fox, ex-WPB 95316 P11 Fort Fincastle 1955/89 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1996, ex-Cape Morgan, ex-WPB 95313
Displacement: 30 tons full load Dimensions: 18.29 x 4.8 x 1.40 meters Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 Caterpillar 3408 TA diesels, 950 bhp (700 kW), 19.5 knots Range: 650/16 Endurance: --- hours Fuel: 4 tons Electric: 29 kW Crew: 11 Radar: 1 x Decca 110 navigation Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 2 x 7.62 mm MGs (I x 2) Builder: Vosper Thornycroft, E.U. (UK) Notes: GRP hull. Air conditioning. They all have been stricken. P23 Andros preserved as museum. P27 Inagua was the last unit operative, being decommissioned in 2000. P22 Eleuthera was sold to a south Florida business person who refitted her for private use. The first four were the original units of the Bahamas Police Marine Division. Provision was made for a single Oerlikon 20 mm 70 cal. AA in the foredeck, which was sometimes mounted. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P21 Acklins 1972 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Sunk after a fire in 1980 P22 Eleuthera 1972 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1995 P23 Andros 1972 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1995 P24 San Salvador 1972 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1982 P25 Abaco 1977 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1995 P26 Exuma 1977 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 1995 P27 Inagua 1977 RBDFCG Coral Harbour Decomm. 2000
Displacement: 8 tons full load Dimensions: 8.8 x 3 x 0.7 meters Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 Volvo TAMD 40 A diesels, 180 bhp (130 kW), 24 knots Range: 350/21 Endurance: 4 hours Fuel: --- Electric: --- kVA Crew: 4 Radar: None. Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 2 x 7.62 mm MGs (I x 2) Builder: Phoenix Marine Inc., Florida, U.S.A. Notes: GRP hull. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P30 --- 1981 --- --- Decomm. 1997 P31 --- 1981 --- --- Decomm. 1997 P32 --- 1981 --- --- Decomm. 1997 P33 --- 1981 --- --- Decomm. 1997
Notes: Eclectic collection of impounded boats during anti-drug smuggling operations and pressed into service. P35 to P37 are former fishing boats, of 15 meters average length, while P101 to P105 are civilian launches. All of them seem to have been stricken. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes P35 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former fishing boat. P36 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former fishing boat. P37 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former fishing boat. P101 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former civilian launch. P102 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former civilian launch. P103 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former civilian launch. P104 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former civilian launch. P105 --- ---- --- --- Decomm. Former civilian launch.
Displacement: 90 tons full load Dimensions: 28.6 x 7.0 x 1.8 meters Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 General Motors Detroit Diesel 12V71 diesels, 680 bhp (500 kW), 10 knots Range: 3000/10 Endurance: --- days Fuel: --- tons Electric: --- kVA Crew: 16 Radar: 1 x Decca --- navigation. Fire Control: None. EW: None. Armament: 2 x 7.62 mm MGs (I x 2) Builder: --- Notes: Bought 6/Aug/1980. Former fishing boat. Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes A01 Fort Montague ----/80 --- ---
Displacement: 339 tons full load
Dimensions: 41.07 x 9.07 x 2.08 meters
Propulsion: 2 shafts; Kort-nozzle props., 2 General Motors Detroit
Diesels 12V71 diesels, 900 bhp (660 kW), 11 knots
Range: 1,200/10
Endurance: --- days
Fuel: 11.7 tons
Electric: --- kVA
Crew: 15 (2 officers)
Radar: 1 x Raytheon AN/SPS-66 navigation
Fire Control: None.
EW: None.
Armament: None.
Builder: Christy Corp., Sturgeon Bay, Wisconcin, U.S.A.
Notes: LCU 1610-class landing craft. Latter converted in an harbour
utility craft. Built in 1958 and sold to the Bahamas in 19/Jun/1991.
Ramps bow and stern. Can carry 143 tons.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
A02 Fort Charlotte 1958/91 --- --- Decomm. 1999, ex-YFU 97, ex-LCU 1611
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Jean Charles Barroux - jbarroux@LAMilitary.org
