BMT completes sea trial of 48m patrol boat for Qatar Coast Guard

BMT has completed sea trial of one of the two 48m patrol boats to be used by the Qatar Coast Guard.

Along with ARES Shipyard (ARES), BMT designed and constructed 17 patrol boats from advanced composites in just 36 months. This is about 18 months before the scheduled time.

The 48m ARES 150 HERCULES, which is the last of the two ordered by Qatar, has achieved a maximum speed of 37 knots during sea trials.

Qatar Ministry of Interior and Coastguard placed orders for three different vessel sizes: five vessels of 24m, 10 of 34m and two of 48m.

BMT undertook the naval architecture, a work that included hull development, class level design and engineering on all these three sizes.

Its naval architects and engineers worked with ARES to develop the designs for the vessels.

BMT managing director John Bonafoux said: “It’s fantastic to see yet another one of our designs in the water – a great achievement that the team can be extremely proud of.

“ARES 150 HERCULES represents a high-quality patrol boat with fantastic seakeeping ability, minimum noise levels and high manoeuvrability.  ARES is a talented and skilled yard and we’re looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the team.”

ARES Shipyard chairman and executive director Kerim Kalafatoğlu said: “These boats break two important records – firstly, they have become the largest composite hull military ship to have ever been built in Turkey and secondly, with its speed of 37 nautical miles an hour, it is the world’s fastest offshore patrol vessel (OPV).

“It is exciting to also report that the outstanding performance of the first ARES 150 HERCULES has also led to an immediate order for a further three vessels.”

Earlier this month, BMT, which is an international design, engineering and risk management consultancy, announced its plans to take the lead in a £1.8m Vessel Technology Assessment System (VTAS) project.

This work was commissioned and funded by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI). The system will be delivered by BMT in partnership with Black & Veatch.

BMT provides consultancy in defence, energy and environment, marine risk and insurance, maritime transport and ports and logistics sectors.