Comparative Practices of European Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels.

The Deepwater Project Surface Matrix Product Team met with shipbuilding industry executives and Naval and Coast Guard leaders of Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, France, England, Norway, Germany and Sweden to investigate mutli-purpose frigates and offshore patrol vessels. The objectives of this trip were to identify and compare design and operational practices and technologies which would assist the U.S. Coast Guard in performing their missions more effectively in the Deepwater environment. In addition methods for reducing life cycle cost through the use of current, non-developmental technologies were sought. During the meeting the discussions focused on Mission Profiles of the Vessels, Crewing of the Vessels, Habitability, Maintenance Issues, Propulsion Systems, Design Criteria, Boat Launch and Recovery Systems, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Systems, and Damage Control Technology.