Damen Shipyards Group has signed contracts with the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas for a comprehensive refit program covering four Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) vessels.

The contracts were signed during a visit by a delegation from the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to Damen Shipyards in Gorinchem, the Netherlands.

As informed, the program includes the refit of two Damen Stan Patrol 4207 offshore patrol vessels, HMBS Rolly Gray and HMBS Arthur Dion Hanna, the Damen Stan Patrol 3007 patrol vessel HMBS Cascarilla, and the Damen Stan Lander 5612 logistics support vessel HMBS Lawrence Major.

The three patrol vessels will undergo refit work at Damen facilities in the Netherlands, while HMBS Lawrence Major will be serviced at COTECMAR in Colombia, Damen's partner in the region. Damen said conducting the work closer to the vessel’s operating area will help reduce transit time, control costs and enable the vessel to return to service more quickly.

The agreement marks another milestone in the cooperation between Damen and the RBDF, which has continued for more than 12 years. During this period, Damen has supported the Bahamas’ maritime security, search and rescue, disaster relief and coastal protection capabilities.

"We are proud to continue supporting the Government of The Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force through this important programme,” said Bastin Kubbe, Regional Service Manager Caribbean at Damen Services.

“These contracts reflect the trust built between our organisations over more than 12 years of cooperation. We look forward to delivering these refits successfully and helping ensure the continued availability and effectiveness of the RBDF fleet."

Minister highlighted the Bahamas Government’s commitment to border protection, national security, and restoring the operational readiness of the RBDF’s fleet.