Florence Mkhize during harbour trials
History
South Africa
NameFlorence Mkhize
NamesakeFlorence Mkhize
OperatorDepartment of Environmental Affairs
BuilderEraco Boat Builders, Parow, Western Cape
Cost3.8 million Rand
LaunchedJune 2006
Statusin active service, as of 2012
General characteristics
TypeEnvironmental protection vessel
Length14 m (46 ft)
Propulsion2 × 820 hp (611 kW) SeaTek engines
Speed65 knots (120 km/h; 75 mph)
Complement12

Florence Mkhize is an environmental protection vessel operated by the South African Ministry of the Environment.[1] She was launched in June 2006. At 14 metres (46 ft), and capable of 65 knots (120 km/h; 75 mph), she is smaller and faster than four earlier environmental protection vessels. The three vessels in the Lillian Ngoyi class are 47 metres (154 ft) long and capable of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).[2]

At the launch of Florence Mkhize, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South African Ministry of the Environment, asserted the vessel's design was unique.[1]

The hull is constructed of aluminium and she was designed and tested by Cape Advanced Engineering, a South African company based in Atlantis, Western Cape. Florence Mkhize spent her first four months in commission countering perlemoen poaching in Algoa Bay near Port Elizabeth.[3]

All of the South African environmental patrol vessels are named after anti-apartheid heroines, like Florence Mkhize.[4]

Florence Mkhize after making sharp left turn

References

  1. 1 2 Caryn Dolley (2006-06-09). "Super-fast vessel to combat poaching". Independent Online. Retrieved 2011-12-05. A new super-fast patrol vessel was launched in Cape Town harbour on Thursday to reinforce marine protection and help combat poaching.
  2. ↑ Leon Engelbrecht (2010-02-09). "Fact file: Lilian Ngoyi class environmental inshore patrol vessels". Defence Web. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2011-12-05. In addition to the fishery protection duties, the Lilian Ngoyi-class environmental inshore patrol vessels vessels are equipped to conduct oil spill countermeasure operations. The vessel is further equipped for Search-and-Rescue work, fire fighting and limited towing duties. All three ships will be certified for operations up to 200 nautical miles from the shore.
  3. ↑ "Super-fast vessel leads fight against poaching". Independent Online. 2006-10-19. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2016-03-29. The Florence Mkhize is no ordinary marine patrol vessel. Capable of skimming the ocean waves at 65 knots (about 120 km/h) and fitted with scientifically designed seats that protect the 12 man crew during high speed chases, the specialised boat has been called to action in the waters of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape to protect the ocean's bounty from poachers.
  4. ↑ "Mkhize, Florence". South African history.
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