August 27, 2015 The IP Company was cordially invited by the Dutch Royal Navy to celebrate the fact that the last (OPV) Holland class, the hnlms Friesland has been transferred to the Royal Navy by the Defence Material Organization (DMO). The IP Company provided the on-board wireless communication and messaging system (WCMS).
The Dutch Patrol Ship His Majesty The Friesland already has achieved markable results. She assisted when the Baltic Ace capsized and sank after a collision, and intercepted many drug shipments in the Caribbean, seizing thousands of kilos of cocaine.
Today, the Defence Material Organization (DMO) officially transferred the fourth and last vessel of the Holland class to the Royal Navy.
With this transfer DMO finalizes the OPV project (Ocean-going Patrol Vessels). Project manager Rob Zuiddam stated: “Other countries are envious of how we took this on. We are able to build ships at minimal cost, using Dutch expertise only, thanks to defense, industry and research organizations working together”. DMO director and vice admiral Matthieu Borsboom confirms: “This collaboration enabled us to develop this class of vessel in only 7 years, while staying within budget”.
The OPV is a new concept in many ways. The crewmember count is remarkably low for the size of the ship and the tasks it can perform. The vessels are very useful for monitoring coastal waters, but equally suitable to combat terrorism, and fight piracy or drug crime.
Optimum crew size
Thanks to the TNO study into the optimum crew size in view of tasks of the ship and the position of the arms the ship is working at its best. Shipbuilder Damen indicated that the OPV concept attracts international attention. For example, the US Coast Guard expressed interest. Thales also showed how the integrated mast on the OPV’s is further developed. In conjunction with the IP Company the Friesland also makes use of the IP Company’s wireless communication and messaging system on board, the system enables voice communication between crew members, both in the administrative and operational domains. The system reduces personnel by providing a redundant IP PABX telephone platform on top of a military cloud, where communication is possible between different ‘endpoints’, in other words the system can always find the right individual.
Commander Rob Kramer told the patrol vessels have a good name. Crews are satisfied with the performance, capacity and facilities.
December 2015, the Friesland intercepted a smuggling boat 100 miles north from Colombia and confiscated an amount of 1350 kilograms of cocaine, what made this the biggest cocaine catch of the year. When the Friesland discovered the so-called go fast the crew tried to flee. The Friesland’s board helicopter fired warning shots and when the warning shots were ignored the outdoor motors were shut down with aimed fire and the escape failed. The suspects have been transferred to US authorities. This has been the fourth interception of the Friesland this year.