Fincantieri and Cantiere Navale Vittoria have recently celebrated the laying of the keel of a Multi-purpose Offshore Unit (UAM) that has been commissioned by the Italian Coast Guard.
The event was held at Cantiere Navale Vittoria's shipyard in the Veneto region and marked the beginning of the construction phase of the boat.
The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials including Admiral Chief Inspector Nicola Carlone, General Commander of the Port Authorities-Coast Guard Paolo Duò, President of the Vittoria Shipyard Luigi Duò, board member of the Board of Directors of the Vittoria Shipyard Dario Deste, and General Manager of the Naval Vessels Division of Fincantieri.
Following the auspicious ritual, at the end of the event, an evocative plaque of the day was welded onto the first two blocks of the hull already completed.
The UAM, which will be 85 meters long, will be capable of fulfilling various missions assigned to the Coast Guard, such as sea rescue, navigation safety, marine environment protection, and the protection of fish resources. Additionally, it can also serve as a command center for the management of various civil protection devices in response to severe disasters and calamities.
The vessel will be built entirely at the Veneto shipyard, and delivery is scheduled for the end of April 2025.
The "green" UAM has been designed and constructed with an estimated cost of 80 million euros, which includes integrated logistic support activities and temporary service.
The order and construction of the multi-purpose offshore vessel provide five-year temporary support service and the option to build two additional ships.
The vessel's technical features include a total length of approximately 85 meters, excellent seakeeping qualities, high manoeuvrability, and an electric propulsion system of the azimuth type, powered by an electric power plant and two bow thrusters bows for dynamic positioning, ensuring the environmental sustainability of the vessel. It also features a large working deck with offshore cranes and a loading ramp for wheeled vehicles, a flight deck for landing and take-off of helicopters, dedicated rescue zones with relatively rigid keel inflatable boats, anti-pollution systems, a hospital area, and other equipment, making it a highly versatile and multi-functional naval unit.