PATROL BOAT

:''This article is about the naval vessel. For the Australian TV series, see Patrol Boat (TV series).''
A 'patrol boat' is a small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence duties. There have been many designs for patrols boats. They are also called as Offshore Patrol Vessels. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine (blue water) and/or estuarine or river ("brown water") environments. They are commonly found engaged in various border protection roles, including anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, fisheries patrols, and immigration law enforcement. They are also often called upon to participate in rescue operations.
It is a warship typically smaller in size than a Corvette and can include fast attack craft, torpedo boats and missile boats, although some are as large as a frigate. They are usually the smallest ship in a Navy's fleet that are large and seaworthy enough to patrol off-shore, in the open ocean. In larger militaries, such as in the United States Military, offshore patrol vessels usually serve in the Coast Guard, but many smaller nations navys' operate these type of ships.
During both World Wars in order to rapidly build up numbers, all sides created auxiliary patrol boats by arming motor boats and sea going fishing boats with machine guns and obsolescent naval weapons. Some modern patrol vessels are still based on fishing and leisure boats.
Seagoing patrol boats are typically around 30m (100 ft) in length and usually carry a single medium caliber artillery gun as main armament, and a variety of lighter secondary armament such as machine guns or a close-in weapon system. Depending on role, vessels in this class may also have more sophisticated sensors and fire control systems that would enable them to carry torpedoes, anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles. Most modern designs are powered by gas turbine arrangements such as CODAG, and speeds are generally in the 25-30 knot range. They are primarily used for patrol in a country's exclusive economic zone. Common tasks are fisheries inspection, anti-smuggling (usually anti-narcotics) duties, illegal immigration patrols, anti-piracy patrols and search and rescue (law enforcement-type of work). The largest OPVs might also have a flight deck and helicopter embarked. In times of crisis or war, these vessels are expected to support the larger vessels in the navy.
Their small size and relatively low cost make them one of the most common type of warship in the world. Almost all navies operate at least a few offshore patrol vessels, especially those with only "green water" capabilites. They are useful in smaller seas such as the North Sea as well as in open oceans.
Similar vessels for exclusively military duties include torpedo boats and missile boats. The United States Navy operated the ''Pegasus'' class of armed hydrofoils for years, in a patrol boat role.
The River Patrol Boat (sometimes called "Riverine" and "Pibber") is a USA design of small patrol boat type designed to patrol waters of large rivers.

Contents

Specific nations

Australia

Canada

Finland

Iceland

India

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Malaysia

Natherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Russia

Singapore

South Korea

United Kingdom

United States

Images

See also

Specific nations

Australia

★ Royal Australian Navy

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★ Armidale class patrol boat

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★ Fremantle class patrol boat

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★ Attack class patrol boat

★ In television series

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★ ''Patrol Boat'' (1979)

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★ ''Sea Patrol'' (2006)

Canada

★ ''Kingston''-class, (Canadian Navy)

Finland

★ ''VMV''-class, (Finnish Navy)

Iceland

★ Ægir class OPV - Icelandic Coast Guard

India

★ Bangaram Class patrol craft, Indian Navy

★ Sukanya Class patrol craft, Indian Navy

★ Samar class, Indian Coast Guard

★ Sankalp class, Indian Coast Guard

Ireland

★ ''Róisín''-class, (Irish Naval Service)

★ LÉ Eithne (P31), Irish Naval Service

Italy

★ ''Zara''-class, (Italian Guardia di Finanza)

Japan

★ Shikishima, Japan Coast Guard

Malaysia

★ Kedah Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, Royal Malaysian Navy

Natherlands

★ Netherlands: Future Dutch Navy OPV's - Koninklijke Marine

New Zealand

★ ''Moa''-class (Royal New Zealand Navy)

★ Protector class OPV - New Zealand Navy

Norway

Royal Norwegian Navy

★ ''Skjold''-class

★ ''Hauk''-class

★ ''Storm''-class

★ Barentshav class OPV - Norwegian Coast Guard

★ Nordkapp class OPV - Norwegian Coast Guard

Russia

★ ''Mirage''-class (Type 14310), (Russian Navy)

Singapore

★ ''Fearless''-class, (Republic of Singapore Navy)

South Korea

★ ''Chamsuri''-class (Republic of Korea Navy)

United Kingdom

★ Motor Launch of World War II

★ Harbour Defence Motor Launch of World War II

★ River class patrol vessel, (Royal Navy)

★ Castle class patrol vessel - Royal Navy

★ HMS Clyde (P257) - Royal Navy

★ Island class patrol vessel - Royal Navy

United States

★ United States Navy

★ List of patrol vessels of the United States Navy

★ Eagle class patrol craft of World War I and World War II

★ PC Patrol Craft of World War II

★ USCG Patrol Boat

★ Cyclone class Patrol ship

★ Island class patrol boat United States Coast Guard

Images

See also

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