Patrol Vessel Delivered to Nigeria's Homeland

Guardian 3 along with its sister ships Guardian 1 and Guardian 2 is now providing security and other support services to the international offshore oil companies active off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea, in cooperation with the Nigerian Navy.

The Guardian series of 3307 Patrol vessels are themselves unarmed, but in the course of their duties carry security personnel along with their firearms. Protection for those on board is provided by an armoured wheelhouse and internal safe haven, while accommodation for up to 16 individuals enables them to remain at sea for extended periods of time.

Damen’s versatile 3307 Patrol design can be configured for a wide range of roles. Its axe-bow design and high-speed hull form delivers rapid acceleration and a top speed of around 30 knots, making them exceptional interceptors, each capable of providing a credible deterrent across wide areas of open sea. However with 70 m² of open aft deck they can also support offshore industries in a number of other ways, including crew transfers and equipment deliveries, quickly and safely in sea states that would leave conventional vessels struggling.

Additional features on board Guardian 3 include 15 extra seats for crew transfers, thermal imaging apparatus, a Fast Rescue Craft, a self-cleaning fuel separator to protect the engines and generators from contaminated fuel and a FuelTrax fuel management system that measures, monitors and reports on fuel consumption and efficiency. In-Country maintenance services and technical support will be provided by the Damen Service Hub in Port Harcourt.

“We are excited to have received our third FCS 3307 Security vessel from Damen Shipyards, whilst awaiting the delivery of the fourth in the 4th quarter of 2017 and the planned acquisition of the fifth vessel,” stated Louis Ekere, Managing Director and CEO of Homeland. “Homeland is one of the few Government-approved, private maritime security companies operating in Nigeria, so the delivery of Guardian 3 has added tremendous value to our ability to provide turnkey security services to our clients and to meet their specific offshore and onshore deliverables; namely security protection of offshore oil and gas installations, passenger and crew transfers and emergency evacuation, cargo transfers and generally to provide security services to deter and intervene in piracy attacks which makes the maritime waterways safer for the benefit of all legitimate stakeholders.”

Homeland was founded in 2006 to support international oil companies working in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas fields by providing a wide range of services both at sea and on shore. 11 years later, it now operates a sizeable fleet that includes fast supply intervention vessels, platform support vessels, anchor handling tug supply ships, security and patrol vessels, and tugs. Led by managing director Louis Ekere, the company works with many of the international oil companies (IOCs) operating actively in the region.

With a vast wealth of experience in maritime security services, Homeland has grown its capacity with the acquisition of additional Damen 3307 Patrol fit-for-purpose security vessels which use the breakthrough Axe Bow technology for improved interception speed and stability even in the most challenging terrain with minimal fuel consumption.

The Group’s integrated services also cater to other production support services including the provision and deployment of semi-skilled and highly skilled manpower support services, the supply of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) to all onshore and offshore oil installations, as well as the supply of a full range of premium quality casing and tubing, drill pipes, connectors and pipe accessories for use in all types of oil and gas drilling and well completion activities. 

Homeland works closely with its clients to achieve their strategic objective by providing exceptional services to enable them focus on their core operations.