Vietnam Coast Guard receives patrol boats from US

The Vietnam Coast Guard received six 45-foot Metal Shark-built patrol boats during a May 22 ceremony in Quang Nam, Vietnam.

The boats were officially handed over by U.S. ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius and mark a step in the expanding security cooperation between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

These patrols boats will assist VCG Region II in inter-costal patrols and law enforcement in smuggling, illicit trafficking, piracy and armed robbery against ships, and illegal fishing. Immediately after the transfer, VCG will begin to train on and operate the vessels, making them fully operational.

“Vietnam’s future prosperity depends upon a stable and peaceful maritime environment. The United States and the rest of the international community also benefit from regional stability, which is why we are here today, and it is why we are very pleased to be working together with the Vietnam Coast Guard,” said ambassador Osius at the handover ceremony.

The vessels, which were built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, Louisiana waterfront shipyard complex, are powered with twin Cat C-9 diesel engines mated to Hamilton water jets. Urethane-sheathed, closed-cell foam collars by Wing provide impact protection during alongside maneuvers or while docking, Metal Shark said.