The SAAF Forum

Koos has a number of Coast Guard designs and some coast guard vessels in service already - I'm not too sure but I think in the Gulf - UAE, Dubai - somewhere like that. Will look it up if I can.

Hey that's great for the builders if they got additional order/s to the Nigerian ones. Good for SA shipbuilding industry. I wonder if Nigeria took there full complement of 4? Interestingly there was still one under construction in the shed on Navy Day. There were quite a few 'civvies' on the vessel this morning in the Bay.

They are not quite the same design - this one is shorter and the superstructure is totally different. Also has 2 MAN and not 3 Cat diesels. Faster too.

Great info on the engines... .she sure was flying across the bay this morning...hence I nearly missed her by the time I grabbed my camera and only got distance shots.

Edit: From apolloduck.co.za some more info.....
OPS 241 has been custom designed for the client as a multi-role vessel of crew transport, cargo supply and patrol operations.

The vessel is a 24m long, twin-jet propelled work boat, manned by 5 crew members and designed to operate for up to 3 weeks at sea.

OPS 241 is required to transport palletised cargo of up to 8ton capacity to and from offshore rigs and platforms, and thus it was critical to focus on mitigating the risk of jet cavitation under full loading conditions. Nautic Africa chose to work in close collaboration with MJP (Marine Jet Power), their preferred jet supplier, because of their robust, patented jet design and impressive 5 year warrantee. MJP 550CSU (compact steering unit) water jet was chosen as it was ideally suited to OPS 241 load requirements of the operating profile. The entire propulsion system is controlled by MJP’s proven CSW (combinatory steering wheel) and three VCS (vector control system) inputs are achieved via robust touch screen technology.

The propulsion system is driven by two MTU 12V2000M72 engines, producing 1080kW at a wide operating speed range of 2000-2250rpm. The vessel is propelled by acclaimed Swedish-made MJP water jets, and close coupled ZF3050 reduction gearboxes provide the optimum gear ratio. Intermediate flexible shafting from CENTA ensures exceptionally low driveline vibration, extending service life and improving passenger comfort.

Sorry - can't seem to locate where this vessel (or vessels) went - KND's website is one of those glitzy ultra-uninformative one. All razzmatazz and no substance. KND has sold semi-rigids to the Turkish Coast Guard. The coast guard I am thinking of uses a blue hull with a diagonal stripe forward. Will keep looking.

As an addendum the US Coast Guard is building a series of vessels based on the SA DEAT ships.

Easter Sunday and as the sun rose after a stormy weekend – the light fell on the newly painted Upper North Shore Battery guns.




First boat heading out...shark cage diving





Edit: Posted Pic of 2nd Shore Gun

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentinel_Class_cutter

The barges have been moved to the outside of the harbour.

Raptor and the 2 NSRI lifeboats presenting a splash of colour today. It looks like the Raptor is lined up to remove barges again...probably when seas are calmer.

look t all those birds

What is that stone structure just to the right of Isandlwana's bow?

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

It's the old Simon's Town dockyard breakwater lighthouse, built in 1910 when the harbour was originally built. A 17 metre stone structure marking the entrance. It used to sport a neon light but that has been removed since the new harbour extension made it defunct. It is a rather beautiful shot of the old tower. The new lights at the new harbour entrance are of the typical modern utilitarian steel tower type - you can see them on many of Doug's pictures of the harbour.

Thanks E

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A plan is simply a basis for change.

The wind eased nicely today and the SAN Tugs were out and about doing their duty.

The SAS Africana is leaving for sea trials. Maybe the newspaper can stop moaning about how they not sailing.