By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT
tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net
THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force has confirmed its vessel HMBS Lawrence Major sustained “structural damage” when another motor vessel rammed into it in Suriname on Saturday.
HMBS Lawrence Major is a support vessel operated by the RBDF. The ship was built in the Netherlands by the Damen Group, a replica of the Damen Stan Lander 5612 design.
It is named after the RBDF’s first commander, Lawrence Whitfield Major.
“Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship Lawrence Major was moored alongside a floating dry-dock undergoing maintenance and repairs at the Suriname Dry-dock and Shipbuilding Shipyard in Paramaribo, Suriname when the motor vessel Tropic Tide collided into HMBS Lawrence Major around 8.30am May 15 while transiting the Suriname River,” the RBDF’s statement read.
“Initial damage assessments have indicated that HMBS Lawrence Major sustained structural damage to its superstructure portside upper deck railing, stairway, and bow areas. An extensive damage assessment will be done by Damen Shipyard Group to determine the true extent of damage sustained.”
According to the statement, crew members of the RBDF vessel and shipyard personnel undertaking maintenance repairs at the time were able to safely evacuate the vessel before the collision occurred. Injuries to crew members were limited to minor cuts and bruises. The ship’s medic immediately conducted medical assessments.
HMBS Lawrence Major is 184 feet long, and 39 feet wide. It has a landing craft style forward ramp, allowing vehicles to roll on and roll off, for amphibious delivery and is equipped with a 25-ton crane. The boat is also designed to securely carry mission modules the size of standard shipping containers, allowing a mix of missions.
“Investigations into the accident are being conducted by the local Suriname police as the local marine authorities in collaboration with the owners and shipping agents of the M/V Tropic Tide, Suriname Shipyard, Damen Shipyard Group representatives and the insurers of both vessels,” the statement continued.
“Related repair costs will be borne by Damen Shipyard Group responsible for HMBS Lawrence Major undergoing dock yard maintenance repairs in Suriname. The estimated cost for damage to HMBS Lawrence Major is still being assessed and the timeline to effect the repairs caused by the incident to the vessel is unknown at this time.”
The ship’s units include emergency kitchens, and hospital modules, for responding to disasters. It can carry up to 42 containers, in the deck space that would otherwise be available to carry vehicles. It is designed for a crew of 16.
The ship was delivered to the Bahamas on March 18, 2016, along with three smaller patrol vessels.
Comments
TalRussell 2 years, 11 months ago
Obviously, the learning to steer a vessel, judging distance, and how to monitor sea waters' depth, is not a required taught to be learned at the Realm's Royal Navy, yes?
avidreader 2 years, 11 months ago
Sounds like the Tropic Tide ran into the HMBS Lawrence Major while she was unable to avoid a collision. Can't blame the RBDF this time. It's a terrible feeling to be just sitting there waiting for the impact and unable to avoid the inevitable collision. I can recall being aboard an anchored ship in the Mississippi river just offshore Kenner, Louisiana, back in March of 1975. In fog, on anchor watch, making the sound signal of five seconds of bell at the bow every two minutes. Certainly no fun.
DDK 2 years, 11 months ago
What exactly do we do with the 184'x39' HMBS Lawrence Major while she is not undergoing repairs and maintenance? Was she in for repairs because we rammed her into a reef or a dock in the first place? Amazing we actually had her insured!
realitycheck242 2 years, 11 months ago
She is in Suriname getting her two generators replaced because the PLP did not plan for shore power to be installed at the Coral Habour base thus resulting in her running her generators 24/7 from the day she arrived in the Bahamas a few years ago. A contract was reciently signed to installed shore power by the FNM government.. She went to Suriname after transporting supplies from Jamaica to St Vincient to help in the after math of the volcano eruption......Let us hope she is repaired in time for the Hurricane season.
TalRussell 2 years, 11 months ago
@RealityCheck242, lost count, so is this now goin' be like the GoFundMe: #5 fundraising platform for repairing yet another can't steer, resulting in damages to we realm's Royal Navy Battleships, Yes?
tribanon 2 years, 11 months ago
"A contract was recently signed to install shore power by the FNM government." You seem to conveniently forget @realitycheck242 that the corrupt Minnis-led FNM administration has been 'governing' our country since mid-May 2017.
BONEFISH 2 years, 11 months ago
The purchase of HMBS Lawrence Major was one of the best decisions of the Christie government. That vessel was built in lieu of a next patrol craft. A retired defence officer told me that.
He said that in the event of a natural disaster, you need to transfer supplies ,machinery and men around this country He said some islands don't have proper docking facilities or the channels is shallow. Defence officers explain that to Christie and his cabinet. But Bahamians don't really understand or travel in the Bahamas. Like some one said to me, the majority of Bahamians live in the country of Nassau.
Proguing 2 years, 11 months ago
Unfortunately it will now be out of service for this hurricane season
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 11 months ago
hmm Suriname. Didnt that female detainee claim she was raped by a defence force guard last week? Weird.
TalRussell 2 years, 11 months ago
Or an even better idea is to just mandate must be onboard in the wheelhouse during all sailing and docking times and within easy reach some kind of How to Steer Guide, yes?
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 11 months ago
that would work too....
So Tal, I crossed someone off my list. You are not the great Charles Carter (may he rest in peace). You could still be Hubert Ingraham
TalRussell 2 years, 11 months ago
Oh Comrade This, try not to rush up with the speed eliminations since there are maybe the dozen us from the main list original shortlist colourful characters still around. Must say a pretty damn special bunch of comrades that saw and experienced much to do with lots and by lots different range people. My very first guest on ZNS Talk Show was Comrade Ronnie Butler who was to become a lifelong friend, yes?
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 11 months ago
You are not Sir Charles:). I even wondered if you were the editor. This will be one of the great mysteries revealed when the great book is opened and St Peter does the roll call!
Bonefishpete 2 years, 11 months ago
"Don't mash my boats" Don't Freeport repair boats? Seems much closer than Suriname.
John 2 years, 11 months ago
Maybe the boats are still under warranty or came with a service contract. Freeport does mostly hull, shaft and propeller repairs.
tribanon 2 years, 11 months ago
A mega million dollar sea vessel loaded with sophisticated technology in the hands of those who are the product of our failed D- - - education system. Go figure!
The structural damage done to that defense force ship is much more than could ever be seen in the videos of the incident.
tribanon 2 years, 11 months ago
Why doesn't one of The Tribune's 'top knotch' investigative reporters look into whether or not the government has its RBDF ships adequately insured for collision incidents like this one? Did anyone in government forget to or decide not to renew the collision incidence insurance coverage? lol
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