Offshore Patrol Vessel Arrives in Guyana to Enhance Maritime Security

Guyana Uncut News | April 21, 2024 | Georgetown, Guyana

The Offshore Patrol Vessel, GDFS Shahoud, finally arrived in Guyana today, docking at the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard headquarters at approximately 10:30 AM.

Modeled after the 115 Defiant, the vessel was originally scheduled to arrive in Guyana last October but faced delays, pushing its arrival to February 2024. Sources indicate that the vessel, manufactured by the American company Metal Shark Boats, encountered several challenges during sea trials, prompting adjustments as it made its journey to Guyana. Along the way, it made several stops in Puerto Rico, Guantanamo, Cuba, and Barbados before reaching Guyana’s waters.

Equipped with modern navigation and communication systems, the brand new 115-foot vessel, originally named GDFS Berbice, has been renamed GDFS Shahoud in honor of Colonel Michael Shahoud. Colonel Shahoud tragically perished in a helicopter crash last December in Guyana’s rugged, mountainous, and thickly vegetated interior.

According to informed sources, the patrol vessel will enable the GDF to enhance domain awareness in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), conduct search and rescue operations, prevent illegal fishing, and intercept drug traffickers.

The GDF is set to acquire a larger offshore patrol vessel, the OPV-190, from France within the next 24 months. This 190-foot long vessel, manufactured by France’s OCE S.A at a cost of US$42 million, will serve as a mothership capable of extended deployments at sea. It will also resupply the GDFS Shahoud with essential provisions such as food, fuel, and other necessities.

The OPV-190 boasts a capacity to accommodate 30 crew members and up to 24 passengers. With a range of 4,000 to 5,000 kilometers at 12 knots, its maximum speed, contingent on load, can reach up to 30 knots.