(JEANERETTE, La.) — Metal Shark is building a welded aluminum 115-by-27-foot monohull patrol vessel for the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).
Construction is underway at Metal Shark’s Franklin, La., shipyard on the new 115 Defiant, a multi-mission vessel designed in-house by Metal Shark’s engineering team and being acquired by the GDF via direct purchase. Once complete, the new vessel will join the eight other Metal Shark interdiction and patrol vessels currently in service with the GDF.
“Due to increasing maritime security concerns, we continue to see increased demand among military operators for larger patrol vessels capable of extended missions at sea,” said Metal Shark CEO Chris Allard. “Considering the relatively few options available in this size range, we felt that clients in this market segment have been underserved. We are now giving operators an entirely new option with this next-generation platform.”
The 115 Defiant has been designed to project power, with a reverse-raked bow offering reduced resistance for improved seakeeping in higher sea states. A prominent breakwater and elevated wheelhouse with nearly 360-degree visibility assure confident all-weather operation.
The vessel will carry a crew of 24 on extended missions at sea, and has been designed to accommodate a wide range of mission profiles including search and rescue, border patrol, police and customs duties, counter-narcotics operations, and securing waters of economic importance.
For mothership operations, the 115 Defiant carries a 17-foot Metal Shark-built aluminum rigid inflatable boat (RIB) on the aft deck. The RIB carries up to 10 people and is powered by twin 50-horsepower, four-stroke outboard engines.
For the GDF, the RIB will be launched and retrieved via a PS11000M-5m Palfinger stiff boom marine crane. The 115 Defiant is also offered with an integrated stern slipway for underway launch and retrieval.
The 115 Defiant has been configured to meet the performance requirements of the client. Powered by twin 1,600-hp Caterpillar C32 diesel inboard engines turning conventional propellers through Twin Disc marine gears, the vessel is expected to deliver a cruise speed of 12 knots and a top speed in excess of 20 knots.
At cruise, the vessel boasts a 2,000-nautical mile range and 10 days’ endurance. A range of propulsion choices are offered to accommodate the performance requirements of other clients.
“The Guyana Defense Force and Metal Shark have been strategic partners for nearly 10 years and we are pleased to continue to build on our relationship,” said Henry Irizarry, Metal Shark’s vice president of international business development. “The United States ambassador and U.S. Embassy staff in Guyana were crucial in advocating for Metal Shark and our American-made products, and our team worked closely with the GDF and the government of Guyana to design a vessel ideally suited for their operational requirements. Metal Shark looks forward to delivering this modern and capable patrol craft platform, which will be the latest success in our long-term partnership with Guyana.”
– Metal Shark
