South Africa operates three Lillian Ngoyi-class environmental patrol vessels, based on the Damen Stan 4708 design.[1]The vessels are named Lillian Ngoyi, Ruth First and Victoria Mxenge.[2][3]
The vessels were constructed in South Africa by Farocean Marine.[3]The United States Coast Guard later decided to acquire up to 58 Sentinel-class 154 ft (47 m) fast response cutters (FRC), also based on the Damen Stan patrol vessel 4708 design, citing the success of the South African vessels.[1]
A sprinkling of holy water and a spray of champagne marked the naming of the first of South Africa's four new environmental protection vessels, the Lilian Ngoyi, in Cape Town harbour on Tuesday.
The vessels, designed in the Netherlands, are specifically built for local and international conditions. They are 47 metres long and eight metres wide, and can reach a top speed of almost 40km per hour and a cruising speed of 30km per hour – twice the speed needed to haul in poachers.