She was given the simple designation P52 – because the US first produced 50 patrol boats for its Coast Guard and the 51st one to be built was handed over to the AFM. It was designated P51, obviously the P52’s twin sister.
The 87-foot vessels are tailor-made to the Maritime Squadron’s specifications. It is known as a multi-mission boat and is capable of performing search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries patrol, drug interdiction and the interdiction of illegal immigrants.
The Protector class was designed and produced by Bollinger Shipyards in the US. The patrol boat can accommodate 12 for a five-day mission but the normal crew is 10. Internal arrangements include four two-man cabins, one four-man cabin, an office, separate galley and mess, two showers, trash compactor, reverse osmosis plants and all basics.
The bridge has a 200 square foot usable area with 360 degrees visibility. Patrolling speed is normally 10 knots, but the boat can hit a top-speed of 25 knots with ease.
However, the most innovative design, like most of today’s capital war ships, is that it has a dinghy launch and recovery system. The design includes a fixed ramp incorporated into the stern of the vessel which allows the dinghy crew to literally drive up the ramp while the patrol boat is still moving.
The commissioning was attended by many dignitaries, including parliamentary secretary Anthony Abela, Minister Censu Galea, the US embassy’s Charge d’ Affairs Thomas Murphy and AFM Commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo.
Mr Murphy said that the US was well-aware that Malta was a committed partner in keeping stability and peace in the world. “The US recognises that and it is the precise reason why we have donated one patrol boat and funded 75 per cent of this, the P52,” he said.
He added that it was a very proud moment to watch P51 escort the USS John F. Kennedy into Grand Harbour. “We saw the significance of that,” he said. He also said that Malta was critical to Search and Rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
Parliamentary secretary Tony Abela said: “This ceremony represents the strengthening of ties between Malta and the US. But it also means the contribution of Lm1.3 million by the Maltese government.”
He said this reflected the AFM’s commitment to upgrade its maritime assets to be able to better perform its duties and provide a better service.
He also thanked the US for previous donations of equipment and the training of Maltese crews in the US. He said that on behalf of the AFM, he promised the US that Malta would make the best possible use of the patrol boat.
The press were also taken out to sea on board P51. The vessel is very deceiving, much larger inside than it looks from the outside. It can accelerate to 25 knots very quickly and has a very good rate of turn. It is very stable and rides the sea and waves very well and the crew speak about P51 like she was a girlfriend.
The boat’s captain, Lieutenant Donald Debono, said there was absolutely no comparison between this boat and the others previously used on offshore duties. “At least we can do our job better because the boat is well-equipped. We can stay out for longer on SAR missions,” he said.
Lt. Debono said that during sea trials and familiarisation trips, the boat had handled really well. At one point they were off the coast of Filfla in a rough sea. “We were going at high speed to see how the boat handled and a huge freak wave loomed in front. The boat shot out of the sea and landed in the trough of the next wave. No problem at all, she just kept going.”
He said the P51 had actually sailed through a Force 7 gale with no problem. “Well, it feels a bit like being inside a launderette tumble-drier, but she copes with the weather brilliantly.”
Dimensions
Length – 87 feet
Beam – 19.3 feet
Draft – 6 feet
Full load displacement – 90 tons
Maximum operating speed – 25 knots plus
Weapons – 2 x 7.62 mm machine guns
Crew – One officer and 10 men
Operating range – 1,900 miles
Main engines – 2 x 150,000 hp diesels
Small boat – safe boat 5.6 metre dinghy
Boat’s captain – Lieutenant J. Grixti