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HNLMS Groningen has taken over the role of station ship in the Caribbean from HNLMS Friesland. The patrol ship docked in St. Anna Bay in Willemstad this morning.
Over the coming months, the ship will be deployed for various safety tasks at sea, such as surveillance, enforcement, and combating illegal activities like drug smuggling. Additionally, it stands ready to provide support during emergency situations, for example during the hurricane season that began this month.
The Royal Netherlands Navy has four Holland-class patrol ships. These OPVs (Ocean-Going Patrol Vessels) are flexibly deployable vessels for the surveillance of coastal waters. The station ship has an NH90 maritime combat helicopter on board to support the ship with aerial operations.
For the past four months, HNLMS Friesland fulfilled the role of station ship in the Caribbean. In addition to monitoring the security situation around the islands, the ship recently visited New Orleans, where it participated in festivities marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
With the presence of a station ship in the region, Defense contributes to peace and security in the Caribbean.
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