Damen Shipyards Galati hands over 74-metre Fishery Research Vessel to Angolan Government
Damen Shipyards Galati has made provisional delivery of the 74-metre Fishery Research Vessel Baía Farta to the Angolan Ministry of Fisheries. The Damen FRV 7417 type vessel was ordered in July 2016 and officially launched in November 2017. She will remain in Galati until November, when she will set sail for Angola where the final delivery will take place.
With a 1,600 km Atlantic coastline, the development of the domestic fishing industry is a priority of the Angolan government and it currently employs over 100,000 people in both commercial and artisanal fishing.
The Baía Farta is equipped for the full range of fisheries research and assessment activities including hydrographic operations, acoustics research, pelagic and demersal trawling, plankton, water, environmental and geographical sampling, oil recovery and emergency towage operations.
To maximise her effectiveness in her role, the Baía Farta has been built to Silent-A/F/R Class notation standards. Every care has been taken in her design, construction and outfitting to minimise underwater noise as well as onboard internal acoustic noise and vibration. The rigidity of foundations and supports for all potentially noise and vibration-generating components and systems are being thoroughly checked to ensure that they comply with the Silent notation. Expertise from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem and Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding has also contributed to the development of this sophisticated vessel.
“Over the next few weeks the Angolan team will be taking the Baía Farta through its final tests and checks before they head out into the Atlantic for their voyage home,” says Friso Visser, Damen Regional Director Africa. “We are confident that she will prove to be a highly efficient and effective vessel, and will in the years ahead play a valuable role in the development of the Angolan fishing industry.”
The Angolan Ministry of Fisheries and Damen have worked together in the past, with Damen having supplied two, 62-metre, FRV 6210 Fishery Inspection Surveillance Vessels and a smaller Fishery Research Vessel (FRV 2808).
