A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence, border security, or law enforcement. There are many designs for patrol boats, and they generally range in size. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, police, or customs, and may be intended for marine ("blue water"), estuarine ("green water"), or river ("brown water") environments.

Fateh, a Diciotti-class offshore patrol vessel in service with the Iraqi Navy

Per their name, patrol boats are primarily used to patrol a country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), but they may also be used in other roles, such as anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, fishery patrols, immigration law enforcement, or search and rescue. Depending on the size, organization, and capabilities of a nation's armed forces, the importance of patrol boats may range from minor support vessels that are part of a coast guard, to flagships that make up a majority of a navy's fleet. Their small size and relatively low cost make them one of the most common naval vessels in the world.

Classification

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Kawachi, a patrol boat in service with the Osaka Prefectural Police

The classification of a patrol boat is often subjective, but they are generally small naval vessels that are used to patrol national waters or a certain jurisdiction. They may be as large as a corvette or even a frigate, though the term may also be used for vessels as small as a yacht or rigid inflatable boat. They can include fast attack craft, torpedo boats, and missile boats. They may be broadly classified as inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) or offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). OPVs and medium size cutters are usually the smallest ship in a navy's fleet that are large and seaworthy enough to patrol off-shore in the open ocean, while IPVs are typically too small to do so and are instead kept in lakes or rivers, or close to coasts; IPVs specifically used in rivers can also be called "riverine patrol vessels". Large patrol vessels, Heavy patrol vessels and Large cutters are the largest type of patrol ships and are typically more than 100 m (330 ft) in length.

Seagoing patrol boats are typically around 30 m (100 ft) in length and usually carry a single medium caliber artillery gun as main armament, and a variety of lighter secondary armament such as machine guns, while others include the sophisticated close-in weapon system. Depending on their role, vessels in this class may also have more sophisticated sensors and fire control systems that would enable them to carry torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and surface-to-air missiles.[1]

History

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PCE-872, a World War II patrol craft escort of the U.S. Navy

During both World Wars, in order to rapidly build up numbers, all sides created auxiliary patrol boats by arming motorboats and seagoing fishing trawlers with machine guns and obsolete naval weapons. Some modern patrol vessels are still based on fishing and leisure boats.

The United States Navy operated the Pegasus class of armed hydrofoils for years in a patrol boat role. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy ordered 193 aluminum hulled Patrol Craft, Fast (PCFs),[2] also known as Swiftboats, for brown water naval operations. The Patrol Boat, River (PBR, sometimes called "Riverine" and "Pibber") was a fiberglass hulled vessel also designed and used for inland river operations during the Vietnam War, and became an icon of water operations during the war due to its use in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now.

Most modern designs are powered by gas turbine arrangements such as CODAG, and speeds are generally in the 25–30 knots (46–56 km/h; 29–35 mph) range. The largest OPVs might also have a flight deck and helicopter embarked. In times of crisis or war, these vessels are expected to support the larger vessels in a navy, though some smaller navies are mostly composed of just patrol boats.

Specific nations

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Albania

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Iliria, an example of a modern patrol boat of the Albanian Naval Force

Algeria

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Argentina

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Argentine Naval Prefecture's GC67 patrol vessel

Australia

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HMAS Armidale of the Royal Australian Navy

Others

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Bahamas

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Bahrain

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35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships, Commissioned in 2021 [3]

Bangladesh

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The Bangladesh Navy classified its medium size patrol ships as large patrol craft (LPC) which are armed with either anti-ship missiles or torpedoes. Those ships typically have heavier armaments but less range than OPVs.[4][5]

Large patrol craft
Offshore patrol vessel
Inshore patrol vessel
ASW patrol boat
Patrol gunboat
 
Leader-class OPVs of Bangladesh Coast Guard
Offshore patrol vessel
Inshore patrol vessel
Fast patrol vessel
Coastal patrol vessel
Riverine patrol craft
Patrol vessel

Belgium

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  • Castor (in Dutch) (2014–present)
  • Pollux (in Dutch) (2015–present)

Brazil

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Brunei

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  • Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel
  • Ijtihad-class patrol vessel
  • KH 27-class patrol boat
  • FDB 512-class patrol boat
  • Bendaharu-class patrol vessel
  • Perwira-class patrol vessel
  • Saleha-class patrol vessel
  • Pahlawan-class patrol vessel

Bulgaria

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Canada

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Cape Verde

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Chile

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Cabo Odger (OPV-84), a OPV-80-class offshore patrol vessel of the Chilean Navy

China (PRC)

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Colombia

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ARC Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera, a PAV-IV-class patrol boat of the Colombian National Navy
  • Diligente-class patrol boat
  • Nodriza-class patrol boat
  • PAF-I-class patrol boat
  • PAF-II-class patrol boat
  • PAF-III-class patrol boat
  • PAF-IV-class patrol boat
  • Patrullera Fluvial Ligera-class patrol boat
  • Riohacha-class gunboat
  • Fassmer-80 class – built in Colombia by COTECMAR

Croatia

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Denmark

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HDMS Støren (P555), a Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel with the Royal Danish Navy

Ecuador

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Egypt

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  • 35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships

Eritrea

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Others

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Finland

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Kurki (51), a Kiisla-class patrol boat with the Finnish Navy

France

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Maritime Gendarmerie Vedette class patrol boat
  • Trident-class patrol boat
  • Géranium-class patrol boat
  • Jonquille-class patrol boat
  • Vedette-class patrol boat
  • Pétulante-class patrol craft
  • Pavois-class patrol craft

Germany

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New Bundespolizei offshore patrol vessel BP 81 Potsdam

Greece

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Hellenic Navy HSY-56A gunboat HS Aittitos
  • Sa'ar 4 class[13] – acting as offshore patrol vessels (OPV)
  • Stan Patrol 5509 OPV
  • Vosper Europatrol 250 Mk1 OPV
  • Abeking & Rasmussen patrol vessels – class Dilos
  • POB-24G patrol vessels – class Faiakas
  • CB90-HCG
  • Lambro 57 and derivatives – all being boats for coastal patrols

Honduras

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Hong Kong (SARPRC)

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Sea Panther (PL 3), a Sea Panther-class large command boat with the Hong Kong Police Marine Unit

Iceland

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India

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The Indian Coast Guard's offshore patrol vessel ICGS Samarth at sea.
 
INS Sunayna (P57) returns to Kochi post an 80-day anti piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden

Indonesia

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KN Tanjung Datu (1101) of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency
  • FPB 28, Indonesian Police and Indonesian Customs, 28 meter long patrol boat made by local shipyard PT PAL.
  • FPB 38, Indonesian Customs, 38 meter long aluminium patrol boat made by local shipyard PT PAL.
  • FPB 57, Indonesian Navy, 57 meter long patrol boat designed by Lurssen and made by PT PAL, ASM and heli deck equipped for some version.
  • PC-40, Indonesian Navy, 40 meter long FRP/Aluminum patrol boat, locally made by in house Navy's workshop.
  • PC-60 trimaran, Indonesian Navy, 63-meter-long composite material, is armed with 120 km range of anti-ship missile, made by PT Lundin industry
  • OPV 80 - 80 meter long, designed by Terafulk and made by PT Citra Shipyard
  • OPV 110 (Tanjung Datu-class) - 110 meter long, made by PT Palindo Marine Shipyard

Iraq

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35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships, during the period 2010 - 2014 [14]

Ireland

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List of Irish Naval Service vessels;[15]

Israel

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Slovenian Navy HPL-21, an example of the Israeli-made Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boat also in service with the Israeli Navy

Italy

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Italian Navy Comandanti-class Cigala Fulgosi
 
Italian Coast Guard patrol boat U. Diciotti, CP-902

Jamaica

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Japan

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Shikishima (Japan Coast Guard), the 2nd largest patrol boat in the world
 
Japan Coast Guard Hida

Latvia

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Malaysia

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  • Kedah class offshore patrol vessel, (Royal Malaysian Navy)
  • Keris-class littoral mission ship,(Royal Malaysian Navy)
  • Gagah Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Ramunia Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Nusa Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Sipadan Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Rhu Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Pengawal Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Peninjau Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Pelindung Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Semilang Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Penggalang Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Penyelamat Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Pengaman Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Kilat Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Malawali Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
  • Langkawi Class Patrol Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

Malta

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Protector class patrol boat P52 of the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta.

Mexico

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ARM Oaxaca, lead boat of the Oaxaca-class.
 
Durango-class offshore patrol vessels in formation.

Montenegro

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Kotor class frigate of the Montenegrin Navy

Morocco

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Royal Moroccan NavyOPV-70

Namibia

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Netherlands

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HNLMS Holland (P840) from Holland Class of the Dutch Navy

New Zealand

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Nicaragua

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Norway

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NoCGV Tor (W334 KYSTVAKT) from Nornen Class of the Norwegian Coast Guard

Peru

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Philippines

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Jacinto-class patrol vessel BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS-37), Philippine Navy
 
Gregorio del Pilar-class surveillance-frigate BRP Goryo (PS-15), Philippine Navy
 
Ilocos Norte-class patrol boat, Philippine Coast Guard
 
Parola-class patrol vessel, Philippine Coast Guard
 
San Juan-class patrol vessel, Philippine Coast Guard
 
Gabriela Silang-class offshore patrol vessel, Philippine Coast Guard

Portugal

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NRP Viana do Castelo, offshore patrol vessel of the Portuguese Navy
  • Bolina-class
  • Levante-class
  • Tufão-class
  • Calmaria-class
  • Bojador-class
  • Ribamar-class
  • Zodíaco-class
  • Mar Creta-class

Qatar

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Qatari Emiri Navy

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Qatari Ministry of Interior

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  • ARES 75
  • ARES 110
  • ARES 150

Romania

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Russia

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Russian Coast Guard Rubin class patrol boat Zhemchug on the Almaz Shipbuilding Company

Senegal

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Fouladou, OPV 190 from Senegalese navy
  • Fouladou (OPV 190), Senegalese Navy
  • Kedougou (OPV 45), Senegalese Navy
  • Ferlo (RPB 33), Senegalese Navy
  • Conejera (Class Conejera P 31), Senegalese Navy
  • Fouta (Osprey 55), Senegalese Navy
  • Njambuur (PR 72), Senegalese Navy

Singapore

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Police Coast Guard third generation PT Class Flower Ray(PT65),conducting a sea-rescue demonstration

Slovenia

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South Africa

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An Israeli Sa'ar 4-class missile boat, called the Warrior-class strike craft in the South African Navy

South Korea (ROK)

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Spain

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Meteoro (P-41)

Sri Lanka

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Suriname

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Sweden

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HSwMS Stockholm (PC-11), a Stockholm-class corvette with the Royal Swedish Navy
  • Hugin-class (based on the Norwegian Storm-class, decommissioned) – 16 ships
  • Kaparen-class (Hugin-class modified with better subhunting capacity, decommissioned) – 8 ships
  • Stockholm-class (commissioned as corvettes, later converted to patrol boats) – 2 ships
  • HMS Carlskrona (commissioned as minelayer, later converted to ocean patrol vessel)

Additionally, the Royal Swedish Navy also operates smaller types of patrol boats (Swedish: bevakningsbåt = "guard boat"):

The Swedish Coast Guard operate an additional 22 patrol vessels for maritime surveillance.

Thailand

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Trinidad and Tobago

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Turkey

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Turkish TCG Karabiga (P-1205), one of the Tuzla-class patrol boats
  • KAAN 15 class
  • KAAN 19 class
  • KAAN 29 class
  • KAAN 33 class
  • SAR 33 class
  • SAR 35 class
  • 80 class
  • Corvette

United Kingdom

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Two River class offshore patrol vessels of the Royal Navy

United States

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United States Navy

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USS Firebolt (PC-10), a United States Navy Cyclone-class patrol ship

United States Coast Guard

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Venezuela

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Naiguatá during sea trials

Vietnam

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  • Type TT-120 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
  • Type TT-200 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
  • Type TT-400 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
  • DN 2000(Damen 9014 class) offshore patrol vessels, Vietnam Coast Guard

References

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  1. ^ "MK VI Patrol Boats, United States of America". www.naval-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  2. ^ "Special Operations Riverine Craft". Swiftships.
  3. ^ "Bahrain Naval Forces Commissions New Patrol Vessels". Naval Post. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Bangladesh and Asia's Maritime Balance". Center for International Maritime Security. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Tender specifications for construction of 02 X Large Patrol Craft (LPC) in local shipyard for BN" (PDF). Directorate General of Defence Purchase. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  6. ^ "BDR-Shahjalal – Patrol Vessel – Details and current position IMO 8106472 MMSI 0 | Vessels | VesselFinder". www.vesselfinder.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
  7. ^ "Brazil getting armored vehicles, boats". Space War. Space Media Network. UPI. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2017. The first-of-class Amazonas was constructed at BAE Systems' Portsmouth facility.
  8. ^ "Offshore Patrol Vessels". BAE Systems. n.d. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. We are supplying three Ocean Patrol Vessels and ancillary support services to the Brazilian Navy, as well as a manufacturing licence to enable further vessels of the same class to be constructed in Brazil. P120 Amazonas, P121 Apa and P122 Araguari
  9. ^ OOB-31 "Omiš" predan u ruke OS RH (in Croatian)
  10. ^ "Gunboats Class Osprey 55". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  11. ^ "Gunboats Class Osprey HSY-55". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  12. ^ "Gunboats Class Asheville". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  13. ^ E.A. Pagotsis (2009). G. Christogiannakis (ed.). Hellenic Defence Report 2009-2010 (Yearbook of the magazine Hellenic Defence & Security). Athens: Line Defence Publications Ltd. p. 81.
  14. ^ "US Navy Delivers Two More 35 Meter". Navy Recognition. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Naval Service - Defence Forces". www.military.ie.