Coast Guard Vessels for Kuwait

Austal announced securing an order for three Coast Guard vessels from the Government of Kuwait. The trio of 22 metre aluminium monohulls will be built by Austal subsidiary, Image Marine and are due for delivery by early 2004. The vessels will be capable of all weather operation in the Arabian Gulf in sea conditions up to Beaufort 6, and have been designed taking into account the extreme climatic conditions encountered in the area.

Image Marine delivered seven 16 metre and two 22 metre patrol boats to the New South Wales Police in 2000, and the success of these vessels was an important part of the bid for the Kuwait contract. Based on the larger NSW Police boats, the Kuwait Coast Guard vessels will operate with three crew and will be capable of carrying up to 41 additional personnel at 25 knots. Propulsion is provided by twin MAN diesels each developing 735kW and driving propellers via ZF gearboxes.