P61 - AFM Flagship

On Saturday 1st October, 2005, the Armed Forces of Malta's new flagship, P61 arrived at Maritime Squadron's Base in Hay Wharf, Floriana.

The Diciotti class ship, under the command of Captain Wallace Camilleri, sailed from the Fincantieri Muggiano shipyard of La Spezia, Italy last Monday and steamed to Malta with a short port call in Messina.

The 17-million euro project of this ship's contract covered the construction of the vessel together with an associated training and logistic support package. It has been undertaken with technical advice and assistance from the Italian Ministry of Defence and financed in its entirety with funding from the 5th Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol.

P61 will serve as replacement for the ex-East German navy Kondor class offshore patrol boats that have recently been decommissioned. She will also enhance the Squadron's capabilities given that its core functions will be patrolling the Maltese high seas to enforce fisheries and migration legislation, and provide search and rescue services.

The vessel is designed upon the Diciotti class patrol vessel (currently in service with the Italian Coastguard) but also embodies a number of significant modifications designed to meet specific requirements outlined by the AFM. It has the capability of carrying out patrols up to Sea State 5 and withstand sea conditions up to Sea State 7.

The 54-mtr, 450-tonne craft is capable of max speed of 20 knots and an unrefuelled range of over 3,000 nautical miles. Facilities are also available aboard for the daytime landing and refuelling of light to medium helicopters (up to the size of the Augusta-Bell 212-type in calm to moderate sea conditions), thus offering the AFM, for the first time, the capability of conducting aerial offshore operations independent of the land.

P-61 also has the capability to safely launch and retrieve a fast interception and inspection craft in Sea State 4 by means of a stern ramp. The main armament will consist of a fully stabilized and electrical driven 25-mm OTO-Breda cannon. Extensive use will be made of the latest technology including a fully automated engineering plant management system as well as the latest in navigational, communications and surveillance equipment. Two motors provided by Isotta Fraschini power the ship and provide three groups for the generation of electrical energy. There is also a fin stabilization system to reduce the movement of the vessel, a reverse osmosis plant to ensure the availability of fresh water, and a water purification system that includes sewage treatment and bilge-water de-oiling plants in order to protect the marine environment.

The 25-man crew will work in an air-conditioned environment specifically designed to reduce fatigue and improve efficiency. The vessel is constructed throughout to the standards set by RINA, the Italian classification society.

The ship will be officially commissioned into the AFM's Fleet on the 3rd November, 2005.

	New AFM Flagship arrives in Malta
		On Saturday 1st October, 2005, the Armed Forces of Malta's new flagship, P61 arrived at Maritime Squadron's Base in Hay Wharf, Floriana. The Diciotti class ship, under the command of Captain Wallace Camilleri, sailed from the Fincantieri Muggiano shipyard of La Spezia, Italy last Monday and steamed to Malta with a short port call in Messina. The 17-million euro project of this ship's contract covered the construction of the vessel together with an associated training and logistic support package. It has been undertaken with technical advice and assistance from the Italian Ministry of Defence and financed in its entirety with funding from the 5th Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol. P61 will serve as replacement for the ex-East German navy Kondor class offshore patrol boats that have recently been decommissioned. She will also enhance the Squadron's capabilities given that its core functions will be patrolling the Maltese high seas to enforce fisheries and migration legislation, and provide search and rescue services. The vessel is designed upon the Diciotti class patrol vessel (currently in service with the Italian Coastguard) but also embodies a number of significant modifications designed to meet specific requirements outlined by the AFM. It has the capability of carrying out patrols up to Sea State 5 and withstand sea conditions up to Sea State 7. The 54-mtr, 450-tonne craft is capable of max speed of 20 knots and an unrefuelled range of over 3,000 nautical miles. Facilities are also available aboard for the daytime landing and refuelling of light to medium helicopters (up to the size of the Augusta-Bell 212-type in calm to moderate sea conditions), thus offering the AFM, for the first time, the capability of conducting aerial offshore operations independent of the land. P-61 also has the capability to safely launch and retrieve a fast interception and inspection craft in Sea State 4 by means of a stern ramp. The main armament will consist of a fully stabilized and electrical driven 25-mm OTO-Breda cannon. Extensive use will be made of the latest technology including a fully automated engineering plant management system as well as the latest in navigational, communications and surveillance equipment. Two motors provided by Isotta Fraschini power the ship and provide three groups for the generation of electrical energy. There is also a fin stabilization system to reduce the movement of the vessel, a reverse osmosis plant to ensure the availability of fresh water, and a water purification system that includes sewage treatment and bilge-water de-oiling plants in order to protect the marine environment. The 25-man crew will work in an air-conditioned environment specifically designed to reduce fatigue and improve efficiency. The vessel is constructed throughout to the standards set by RINA, the Italian classification society. The ship will be officially commissioned into the AFM's Fleet on the 3rd November, 2005.

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