The RPB 33 coastal patrol boats are designed to enhance maritime surveillance capabilities of naval forces.
The boats have been built by Ufast in partnership with Raidco Marine. The hulls were designed by Camarc Design, a small craft design company based in the UK.
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The boats are in service with the navies of three West African countries Senegal, Togo and Ivory Coast.
The boats are suitable for a wide range of missions, including long patrols in exclusive economic zones (EEZ), surveillance, intervention, inspection, counter-terrorism, policing, anti-piracy, and maritime security. The RPB 33 can also be deployed to combat illegal immigration, fishing, trafficking and smuggling.
RPB 33 coastal patrol boat orders and deliveries
The first 33m offshore patrol boat, designated Ferlo, was rolled out in April 2013 and was received by the Senegalese Navy in September 2013. It was built with a composite hull and aluminium superstructure.
The Togolese Navy took delivery of its first RPB 33 boat, featuring a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure, in March 2014 and another in July the same year. The boats were constructed by STX, while Ufast was responsible for outfitting and superstructures.
The Navy of Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) ordered three composite-hulled RPB 33 patrol boats to protect the country’s coastal waters.
The first boat, designated Emergence (P 1401), was delivered in June 2014 and the second, Bouclier (P 1402), was commissioned in July 2015. The third and final boat, Sékongo (P 1403), entered service in February 2016.
33m patrol boat design and features
The RPB 33 coastal patrol boat features a double-chine, deep V-hull that can be made with composite glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) or steel materials. Its superstructure can be built using steel or aluminium. The boat has an overall length of 32.54m, width of 6.53m and can carry 13m³ of fuel. It can accommodate up to 17 crew members.
The patrol boat can be operated and controlled from a flying bridge with large windows, offering a wide-angle view of the horizon on all sides. Its aft section houses a 6.15m-long, rigid-hulled, inflatable boat (RHIB), designed by Camarc and constructed by Ufast.
The RHIB, capable of sailing at speeds exceeding 40k, can be launched and recovered from a ramp at the stern for rapid intervention and transport duties. The engine compartment is placed in front of the ramp.
Armament to combat vehicles and aircraft
A 20mm canon fitted on the foredeck can be fired against vehicles and aircraft. The patrol boat is armed with two 12.7mm machine guns for defence against lightly armoured targets.
Sensors on board RPB 33
The on-board long-range acoustic device (LRAD) loudspeaker provides communication over long distances, while a stabilised video camera with a laser spotlight is used to detect and identify possible or confirmed targets.
The boat is equipped with high-definition marine radar, antenna mast, and searchlights atop the surveillance bridge. The advanced communications, navigational and identification aids provide safe operation at sea.
33m patrol boat performance
Driven by two 1,958hp engines, the 33m offshore patrol boat can sail at speeds more than 40k and operate over a distance of 1,500nmi, when sailing at a speed of 15k. The hull offers high sea-keeping performance.
The boat has the ability to endure for seven days without refuelling. It incorporates two 40kVA electric systems and can be offered with two fixed-pitch propellers or waterjets.
