Warship Technology: October 2017
A Damen 3307 Patrol Vessel has been delivered to Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Ltd (Homeland) in Lagos, Nigeria, taking their fleet of the vessels to three with a fourth currently under construction.
Guardian 3 along with sister ships Guardian 1 and Guardian 2 is now providing security and other support services to international offshore oil companies active off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea, in cooperation with the Nigerian Navy.
The Guardian series of 3307 Patrol vessels are unarmed, but in the course of their duties carry security personnel along with firearms. Protection for those on board is provided by an armoured wheelhouse and internal safe haven. Accommodation for up to 16 individuals enables them to remain at sea for extended periods of time.
Damen’s 3307 Patrol design can be configured for a wide range of roles. Its Axe bow design and speed delivers rapid acceleration and a top speed of around 30knots.
With a 70m² open aft deck they can also support the offshore industry in a number of ways, including undertaking crew transfers and equipment deliveries quickly and safely in sea states that would leave conventional vessels struggling.
Additional features on board Guardian 3 include 15 extra seats for crew transfers, thermal imaging apparatus, a Fast Rescue Craft, self-cleaning fuel separator to protect the engines and generators from contaminated fuel and a FuelTrax fuel management system that measures, monitors and reports on fuel consumption and efficiency. In-country maintenance services and technical support will be provided by the Damen Service Hub in Port Harcourt.
Turnkey security services
“We are excited to have received our third FCS 3307 Security vessel from Damen Shipyards, whilst awaiting the delivery of the fourth in the fourth quarter of 2017 and the planned acquisition of the fifth vessel,” said Louis Ekere, managing director and CEO of Homeland.
Ekere also noted: “Homeland is one of the few government-approved, private maritime security companies operating in Nigeria. Delivery of Guardian 3 has added value to our ability to provide turnkey security services to our clients and to meet their specific offshore and onshore deliverables including protection of offshore oil and gas installations, passenger and crew transfers and emergency evacuation, cargo transfers. The FCS 3307 provides security services to deter piracy and, if necessary, intervene.”
Homeland was founded in 2006 to support international oil companies working in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas fields by providing a wide range of services both at sea and on shore. Eleven years later, it now operates a sizeable fleet that includes fast supply intervention vessels, platform support vessels, anchor handling tug supply ships, security and patrol vessels, and tugs. Led by Ekere, the company works with many of the international oil companies operating actively in the region.
The group’s integrated services also cater to other production support services including the provision and deployment of semi-skilled and highly skilled manpower support services, the supply of automated gas oil to onshore and offshore oil installations, as well as the supply of a range of casing and tubing, drill pipes, connectors and pipe accessories for use in all types of oil and gas drilling and well completion activities.
