The first of five 24-meter patrol boats built for the Qatar Coast Guard at Turkey’s Ares Shipyard has completed the first set of sea trials.
According to the UK-based maritime and engineering company BMT Group, the vessels will be built in three different sizes. Five vessels will be 24 metres long while another 10 will measure 34 metres.
BMT has partnered with Ares to design and build seventeen patrol boats from advanced composites, for the Qatar Coastguard. The company also said that all of the vessels would be capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 knots.
The recently conducted sea trials for the 24m Hercules patrol boat have been hailed a success by BMT which said the vessel achieved over 38 knots in the laden condition.
Additionally, the first 34m Hercules patrol boat has been launched with sea trails to be completed soon. By December 2016 a total of three boats are scheduled to be delivered.
BMT is responsible for the naval architecture, including hull development, and class level design & engineering work on all three sizes of vessel.