Denmark has contracted Norwegian shipbuilder Maritime Partner to manufacture seven Sjøbjørn 71 vessels for the Danish Coastal Rescue Service.
The incoming fleet will take over a “major role” in assisting more than 600 annual operations of the force in Danish territories, particularly across the Kattegat and parts of the Baltic Sea.
The new boats, to be officially commissioned as the Danish Rescue Vessels (DRV), will take on salvage, maritime assistance, and emergency response roles from stations located at Anholt, Gedser, Grenå, Nexø, Østerby, Rønne, and Skagen.
They will also deploy as needed for mission assistance under the Danish Ministry of Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
Maritime Partner is scheduled to complete deliveries for this initiative between 2026 and 2028, the Danish Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) noted.
“DALO is pleased with the contract and looks forward to further cooperation with Maritime Partner regarding the new rescue vessels,” DALO Maritime Division Head Cdr. Steen Balslev stated.
“The addition of the new vessels in the coming years is a fundamental element in the ongoing renewal of the existing fleet of rescue vessels.”
“At the same time, the new vessels will ensure that the working environment and safety for the personnel are improved. DALO has high expectations for the new vessels from Maritime Partner and we are very much looking forward to the imminent collaboration in the project.”
Exceeding Expectations
Maritime Partner’s Sjøbjørn 71 hull measures 22 meters (72 feet) long and has a width of about 6 meters (20 feet).
It will be operated by a crew of five and have a towing capacity of more than 9 tonnes (19,842 pounds).
The vessel will be equipped with two 1,200-kilowatt waterjets for speeds over 35 knots (65 kilometers/40 miles per hour) and a range of 350 nautical miles (648 kilometers/403 miles).
“This contract reflects the strong collaboration we have cultivated over the years,” Maritime Partner Sales & Marketing SVP Henrik Myklebust commented on Copenhagen’s award.
“Together, we have developed a vessel design that not only meets but exceeds operational expectations, reaffirming our position as a leading supplier of high-performance boats.”
