MAY 22, 2013 — Damen Shipyards and Italian partner yard Cantiere Navale Vittoria S.p.a. are to build two Stan Patrol 5509 patrol boats for Italy's Guardia di Finanza, a law enforcement agency that deals with financial crime, smuggling, illegal Immigration and narco traffic and that has a fleet of about 250 vessels.

The contract, resulting from a European tender, is "quite a unique event", says Frank de Lange, sales director North, West and South Europe at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, The Netherlands.

The 5509 is the latest model of in the Stan Patrol series and is the largest to be built so far.

The two vessels are to be built in Italy by the Duò family controlled Cantiere Navale Vittoria in Adria from a Damen Technical Cooperation Package by using a pre-fabricated shipbuilding kit.

The vessels will be put to use for continuous patrol duties in Italian territorial waters and throughout the Mediterranean sea. Speed and reliability are thus of major importance One of the Stan Patrol's main features is its excellent sea-keeping behavior, achieved as a result of intense research in cooperation with the Delft University of Technology.

The vessel's Sea Axe bow form allows it to attain and maintaina speed up to 28 knots at a 90 percent MCR, even in heavy seas and strong winds. Superior motion behavior and a much lower resistance decrease the Stan Patrol's fuel consumption and emissions. This gives advantages in cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.

The Stan Patrols are equipped with two rigid inflatable boats.