Damen signs deal with Lithuanian Navy for SAR vessel

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract to build a pollution incident response and search and rescue (SAR) vessel for the Lithuanian Navy.

The contract was signed in Vilnius on October 29, 2026, following a public procurement organized by the Environmental Projects Management Agency under Lithuania’s Ministry of Environment. The new vessel, which will be based on Damen's Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 6711 design, will replace an existing unit in the Lithuanian Navy fleet and support pollution response, search and rescue, firefighting and other maritime security operations.

The 67.3-meter vessel will combine pollution response capabilities with equipment for emergency assistance at sea. Its primary pollution response role will be supported by a FiFi 1 firefighting system and DP1 dynamic positioning capability.

For search and rescue operations, the vessel will carry two davit-launched boats and have capacity to accommodate up to 50 survivors. A dedicated onboard treatment facility will provide medical care, according to the shipbuilder.

The vessel will also feature a large working deck with a centerline crane, providing operational access from either side. The deck will accommodate up to six 20-foot containers, each weighing up to 15 tonnes, with a container transfer system positioned below the helicopter deck.

The helicopter deck will support aircraft up to the size of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, allowing the unit to conduct medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP). A lowered stern platform will provide emergency towing capability.

OPV 6711 design

The OPV 6711 has a maximum speed of 23 knots and a stated range of 8,000 nautical miles. It will have a core crew capacity of 24, with additional accommodation for embarked personnel and mission specialists.

The design incorporates Damen's Sea Axe bow, intended to improve seakeeping and operational performance in challenging sea conditions. Its ice-class 1D hull is designed for operations in Baltic Sea conditions.

According to Damen, the design will also allow the Lithuanian Navy to adapt the vessel for additional missions through containerized equipment. Potential configurations include unmanned systems, mine countermeasures, hydrographic surveys, command and control, diving support, medical support and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

This modular arrangement will allow the vessel's mission equipment to be changed according to operational requirements, extending its potential beyond pollution response and search and rescue.