Fincantieri launches Italian Coast Guard’s first multi-purpose ship

The Italian Coast Guard’s first of two multi-purpose vessels, Luigi Dattilo, has been launched at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) Shipyard.

The ship is schedule to be delivered to the Coast Guard in the spring of 2013.

Designed to operate in open seas or bad marine weather conditions, the 94m-long ships of this class will be used to support missions including search and rescue, anti-pollution and fire-fighting missions and to control illegal immigration.

Capable of cruising at a top speed of about 18k with a range of more than 3,000 miles, the vessels will have a full load displacement of approximately 3,600t and also be able to conduct complex naval missions for central command.

The ships will also support different types of mission and emergency response using its four fast rigid-hulled inflatable boats, with speeds of up to 35k.

Featuring sophisticated command and control systems, the ships also feature latest-generation radar able to find and follow surface marine pollution.

Additional features of the ships include hybrid propulsion system, auxiliary diesel-electric engine for use at the low and very low speeds while conducting surveillance and control missions for long periods.

The ships will be designed and developed to meet the most advanced standards certified by Italy’s ship classification society, the Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) and by the General Command of the Port Authority Corps technical team.