Orca class patrol vessel
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 Patrol Craft Training Orca |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Orca class Patrol Craft Training |
| Builders: | Victoria Shipyards, Esquimalt, BC |
| Operators: |  Maritime Command (Canada) |
| Preceded by: | YAG 300 |
| Cost: | C$90.7 million |
| Built: | November 2004—October 2008 |
| In service: | 17 November 2006—Present |
| Completed: | 8 |
| Active: | 8 |
| Retired: | 0 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Patrol boat |
| Displacement: | 210 tons |
| Length: | 33 metres (110 ft) |
| Beam: | 8.34 metres (27.4 ft) |
| Draught: | 2.6 metres (8.5 ft) |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Caterpillar 3516B de-rated to 1 864 kW at 1 600 rpm (5 000 HP total) |
| Speed: | Over 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Range: | 660 nmi (1,220 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Complement: | 4 (minimum); 24 (maximum) |
| Armament: | None. Foredeck is strengthened to accept a 12.7 mm M2 machinegun. |
The Orca class is a ship class of eight steel-hulled Canadian navy patrol boats. Loosely based on the Australian-designed Pacific-class patrol boat, the Orca class was constructed by Victoria Shipyards between November 2004 and November 2008, at a total project cost of C$90.7 million. All eight are based at CFB Esquimalt in British Columbia, and replaced the YAG 300 class, and primarily operate as training platforms and surveillance craft.
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[edit] History
The Orca class was designed to replace the 1950s-era wooden hulled YAG 300 class. In November 2004, a C$69.7 million contract for six units, with an option for two more for a total budget of C$90.7 million, was awarded to Victoria Shipyards. The first ship in the class, Orca (PCT 55) was delivered 14 months ahead of schedule in August 2006. The ship's hull design shares features of the Australian Pacific-class patrol boat, with minor modifications. The superstructure design of the Orca class is all new and designed to accommodate Canadian naval requirements. Ultimately the Canadian Government purchased eight for the Canadian Navy. The project was completed when Moose (PCT 62) delivered November 27 2008.
[edit] Employment and capabilities
The primary use of the Orca class is the training of naval officers and at-sea familiarization for sea cadets. The ships may also be assigned to support surveillance and other operations if required. While primarily used for training, they provide commanders greater ability and flexibility to maintain a naval presence in coastal areas and to quickly respond to maritime security challenges. Maneuverable and capable of relatively high speed, the Orca class is a valuable asset when incorporated into port security operations, exercises, or other similar activities.
At 20 knots (37 km/h), these vessels are 5 knots (9.3 km/h) faster than the Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defense Vessel (MCDV), but slower than many purpose-built patrol craft, such as the 30-knot (56 km/h) United States Coast Guard's Island class cutter.
[edit] Ships in class
| Name | Launch date | Delivery date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orca (PCT 55) | 9 Aug 2006 | 17 Nov 2006 | In service |
| Raven (PCT 56) | 10 Jan 2007 | 15 Mar 2007 | In service |
| Caribou (PCT 57) | 2 May 2007 | 31 Jul 2007 | In service |
| Renard (PCT 58) | 1 Aug 2007 | 13 Sep 2007 | In service |
| Wolf (PCT 59) | 22 Oct 2007 | 29 Nov 2007 | In service |
| Grizzly (PCT 60) | 14 Feb 2008 | 19 Mar 2008 | In service |
| Cougar (PCT 61) | c. June 2008 | c. July 2008 | In service |
| Moose (PCT 62) | c. Oct 2008 | 27 Nov 2008 | In service |
[edit] External links
- DND/CF press release NR-04.086 announcing the Orca class purchase.
- DND/CF Backgrounder BG-04.038 detailing the purchase process behind the Orca class.
- CdnMilitary.ca Article on the Orca class.
- Canadian American Strategic Review.
- CASR: Background — the Origins of the Orca Class Patrol Craft, Training.
