First MMEA offshore patrol vessel to sail home in January

The first of two offshore patrol vessels for the coast guard has been launched at a Turkish shipyard and is expected to begin its voyage home in January.

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who was at Desan shipyard to witness the launch, said construction of the multi-purpose mission ship was ahead of schedule. Upon completion and handover, MPMS 1 would make history as the largest vessel in the fleet of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The launch ceremony, attended by about 200 guests, featured a symbolic bottle-breaking ceremony using seawater from Malaysia, the home ministry said in a statement, Bernama reported.

The 3,300 tonne MPMS 1 is the first of two offshore patrol vessels being built in Turkey with a total contract value of about US$150 million (RM600 million). The 99m-long ship can operate for 30 days without resupply with a crew of 70 and space for 20 others. It is equipped with two 30mm auto cannon, and two to four machine guns, two unmanned aerial vehicles, four fast interceptor craft and has a helicopter landing pad.