The MV VOS Grace
History
United Kingdom[1]
NameVOS Grace
Operator2015–present: Vroon Offshore
Port of registryAberdeen, United Kingdom (2015–present)[1]
BuilderFujian Southeast Shipyard, Fuzhou, China[1][2]
Launched2015[1]
Commissioned04 June 2015[2]
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typePlatform supply vessel
Tonnage
Length60 m (200 ft)[1]
Beam15 m (49 ft)[1]
Draught5.014 m (16.45 ft)[1]
Installed power2,800 kW (3,800 hp)[1]
Propulsion
  • Two Caterpillar engines[1]
  • Two reduction gearboxes
  • Two controllable pitch propellers
  • Three thrusters (retractable azimuth, bow thruster and stern thruster)
Speed14 knots (26 km/h)[1]
Complement
  • 23 crew
  • 66 survivors[1]

The MV VOS Grace is a platform supply vessel registered in the United Kingdom and operated by Vroon Offshore.[1] Built in Fujian province, China the VOS Grace was chartered by the UK government to assist the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Border Force in 2016 with operations rescuing migrants crossing the Aegean Sea during the European migrant crisis. The ship operated alongside RFA Mounts Bay of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the two Border Force cutters.

Construction

Owned by Vroon Offshore, the MV VOS Grace is a platform supply vessel of steel construction and classed with the American Bureau of Shipping. The ship was built at the Fujian Southeast Shipyard in the city of Fuzhou, China and was completed on 04 June 2015.

Propulsion

VOS Grace is powered by twin Caterpillar diesel engines with a total output of 2,800 kW (3,800 hp) giving a maximum speed of 14 knots.[1] Propulsion is given by two variable pitch propellers The ship also has three thrusters to allow for manoeuvring at slow speed: one forward, one aft and one retractable azimuth thruster.

Operational history

To support the United Kingdom's contribution to Frontex search and rescue missions in 2016,[4][5] VOS Grace was chartered by the UK government to provide assistance to RFA Mounts Bay and two UK Border Force cutters assisting with rescuing migrants crossing the Aegean Sea.[6] A small contingent of Royal Marines was stationed on board the VOS Grace during this period. The ships were operating under the command of a German-led NATO force.[7] The task force operated between the coast of Turkey and a number of Greek islands including Lesbos. The task force assisted with rescuing migrants who were in distress and also with tracking and reporting smugglers' boats to Turkish authorities. During its time in the Aegean Sea, the VOS Grace was reported to have picked up 6,017 migrants attempting to make the journey from Libya.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "VOS GRACE Ship Particulars" (PDF). Vroon Offshore. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  2. 1 2 "VOS Grace leaves Shipyard". Hellenic Shipping News. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Vessel Details for VOS GRACE". MarineTraffic. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  4. ↑ Compston, Tim (27 July 2016). "Maritime security – EU naval mission sails in troubled waters". Maritime Security. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  5. ↑ "Migration: Mediterranean Sea:Written question - 24322". Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Migrant crisis: UK to send ships to tackle people smugglers". BBC News. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  7. ↑ Rajeev, Syal; Smith, Helena (7 March 2016). "Migration crisis: UK to join Nato refugee patrols in Aegean". The Guardian. Retrieved 2017-08-15.

Media related to IMO 9680542 at Wikimedia Commons

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