Damen Shipyards Group has signed a new contract with the Lithuanian Navy for the construction of a pollution response and search and rescue (SAR) vessel. This ship is designed based on the Damen Offshore Patrol Vessel model 6711 and is organized as part of public procurement by the Environmental Projects Management Agency under the Ministry of Environment of Lithuania.
Enhancing the Capabilities of the Lithuanian Navy
This vessel will help the Lithuanian Navy strengthen its capabilities in responding to maritime incidents and will replace an existing unit in the fleet. The contract signing ceremony took place on October 29, 2026, in Vilnius, with representatives from the Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania, the Ministry of Environment, and the Environmental Projects Management Agency in attendance.
Robertas Kaunas, the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania, Ieva Andriulaitytė, the Minister of Environment, and other military and diplomatic officials participated in the contract signing ceremony. The new vessel is designed as a multi-purpose platform that can be used for pollution response, maritime rescue, and other maritime security tasks.
Features of the Pollution Response Vessel
The OPV 6711 vessel is equipped with several essential capabilities housed within a single hull. The primary missions of this vessel include responding to pollution incidents supported by a FiFi 1 fire extinguishing system and a DP1 dynamic positioning system. Maritime rescue missions are supported by two boats located on the vessel, which can accommodate up to 50 rescued individuals.
The vessel also features large working decks and a central crane that allows operations to be conducted on both sides of the ship. This deck can hold up to six 20-foot containers weighing 15 tons, serviced through a container transfer system located beneath the helicopter deck.
The helicopter deck of this vessel is suitable for various helicopters up to the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk size and facilitates evacuation, including MEDEVAC, and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) missions. A lowered platform at the rear of the vessel allows for emergency towing operations.
The OPV 6711, measuring 67.3 meters in length and capable of speeds over 23 knots, has an operational range of 8,000 nautical miles. With a crew capacity of 24, it allows for additional personnel placement, including mission specialists, and its ice-class 1D hull design is suitable for operations in Baltic conditions.
