Holland in the Caribbean

One of the country's warships is now travelling in the sea area around the Netherlands Antilles again. HNLMS Holland was received with 21 gun salutes from Fort Krommelijn on Curacao. The Holland as a so-called station ship and remains on site for several months. Most recently, this position was filled by the Groningena sister ship of the Hollandwhich returned to its home port of Den Helder in mid-January. She had to abandon her mission in the Caribbean prematurely because urgent repairs to the starboard shaft had become necessary. As another ship was not available for this task at short notice, the role of station ship was vacant for months. Only the HNLMS Pelikaan was on site. However, as a small and unarmed support ship, it is not suitable for carrying out necessary patrol tasks in a meaningful way.
The four ships of the Holland-class are flexibly deployable units for guarding coastal waters. They are deployed by the Netherlands to combat terrorists and pirates and especially in the Caribbean to prevent drug smuggling. The ships were built by Damen Shipyards from 2008. With a length of 130 metres, they displace 3750 tonnes. The offshore patrol boats are only equipped with guns. In addition to the 76-millimetre gun from Oto on the forecastle, the ships also have a remote-controlled 30-millimetre and two 12.7-millimetre weapon stations from the same company.

HNLMS Pelikaan

Text: mb; Photos: Koninklijke Marine