Advanced Composites Vessel Achieves 37 Knots

The ARES 150 HERCULES, a 48m patrol boat built for the Qatar Coastguard, has successfully completed sea trials during which it achieved a maximum speed of 37kts, it was announced on 22 February.
 
Designed and built by a partnership between BMT and ARES Shipyard, this is the last vessel in a series of 17 built for the same customer in just 36 months – 18 months ahead of schedule. The order comprised three different vessel sizes: five 24m patrol boats, 10 of 34m and two of 48 metres.
 
BMT has been responsible for the naval architecture, including hull development, class-level design and engineering work on all three vessel sizes. BMT’s team of naval architects and engineers have worked closely with ARES to develop the designs to meet the customer’s stringent performance and comfort requirements. 
 
“It is fantastic to see yet another one of our designs in the water – a great achievement that the team can be extremely proud of.  ARES 150 HERCULES represents a high-quality patrol boat with fantastic seakeeping ability, minimum noise levels and high manoeuvrability.  ARES is a talented and skilled yard and we’re looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the team,” commented BMT Managing Director, John Bonafoux.  
 
“These boats break two important records – firstly, they have become the largest composite hull military ship to have ever been built in Turkey and secondly, with its speed of 37 nautical miles an hour, it is the world’s fastest offshore patrol vessel (OPV).  It is exciting to also report that the outstanding performance of the first ARES 150 HERCULES has also led to an immediate order for a further three vessels,” added ARES Shipyard’s Chairman and Executive Director, Kerim Kalafatoğlu.