Latvia has officially incorporated the Barta patrol boat into its fleet following an extensive modernization process carried out in Estonia.
The vessel was accepted into service with the Latvian State Border Guard during a formal flag-raising ceremony held in the city of Liepaja.
The information was released by the Estonian company Baltic Workboats, responsible for the repair and modernization of the ship. According to the company, Barta represents a “second-life” project: originally built in 2016 by Damen, the boat was completely refurbished at its shipyard, receiving upgrades that extend its service life and adapt the vessel to more modern operational and sustainability requirements.
In a statement, Baltic Workboats said the ceremony marked the successful completion of the project and highlighted the growing importance of modernization programs in its portfolio as an alternative to building new naval assets.
Vessel background
Before the upgrade, Barta was known as Osamede and was the fourth patrol boat of Damen’s FCS 3307 project. The vessel was built in 2015 at Damen’s shipyard in Singapore under the original name Defender IX and belonged to Strickland Services of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
At the time, Strickland operated at least ten FCS 3307 vessels under contracts to protect oil and gas facilities in Nigerian waters. In July 2022, the ship arrived in Cape Town from Nigeria, where it was offered for sale, with ownership later reverting to Damen.
No specific technical details were disclosed regarding the modifications carried out by the Estonian shipyards during the modernization process.
FCS 3307 characteristics
The standard FCS 3307 patrol boat is 33 meters long and has a displacement of approximately 168 tonnes. It is powered by three Caterpillar C32 ACERT main engines, each with twelve cylinders and four-stroke configuration, delivering 1,600 hp (1,193 kW) each, driving three propellers and enabling an operational speed of up to 30 knots.
The design features the Damen Sea Axe Bow, which improves seakeeping in rough seas. Auxiliary systems include two Caterpillar C4.4T generators rated at 59 kW each and a 75 kW bow thruster to enhance maneuverability. The vessel is also equipped with firefighting equipment, including a monitor with a capacity of 180 m³/h.
The declared range is up to 1,200 nautical miles at 30 knots. The aft working deck offers an area of 75 m², with a load capacity of 2.5 t/m². The standard crew consists of six people, with additional space for up to 12 members of observation or boarding teams.
For patrol missions, the FCS 3307 can be fitted with machine-gun positions, as well as optional reinforcement of the bridge with armor plates and ballistic windows.
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Source and images: Baltic Workboats | X @LiepajaSEZ | Militarnyi. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
