Dutch Coastguard strengthens fleet with ‘Enforcer’

Enforcer will provide additional support to the coastguard in the North Sea until a new generation of coastguard ships goes into operation, says Multraship, which will own the vessel and supply the crew and maintenance.

With a length of 53 metres and beam of 10 metres, the vessel has an axe that was developed by Damen and Delft University of Technology. It has a top speed of 27 knots and can take crew of up to 24 and up to 400 rescued persons/passengers.

“We are very proud that the Coastguard and Rijkswaterstaat/Rijksrederij have selected us for this work as well,” says Leendert Muller, managing director of Multraship, the international family business from Zeeland in the Netherlands. “It ties in well with our present partners and we are happy to make our contribution to safety in the North Sea.”

Multraship already supplies the Rijksrederij with three Emergency Response and Towing Vessels (ERTVs). These vessels are used for emergency towage operations and general coastguard duties. 

Damen’s FCS 5009s are fitted with fire-fighting, on-deck fast rescue boats and/or RHIBs, a hospital, crane, emergency towage and oil spill response equipment. With a 240 m² deck, the FCS is equipped for the fast, safe and comfortable transfer of personnel and cargo and can also be fitted with a deck crane.

This week, Damen bought Southampton-based repair services firm IME Group, which Damen says supports its strategic goal of providing full lifecycle support for UK clients.