Navy donates HPBs to Namibia

Jan 4, 2003
Author: P&S

Navy donates HPBs to Namibia

The South African Navy recently presented the Namibian Navy with two surplus Namacurra harbour patrol boats for use at the Namibian ports of Luderitz and Walvis Bay. The SAN combat support/supply ship SAS Outeniqua (A302) delivered the two Namacurra earlier in December.

Thirty Namacurra harbour protection boats (HPB) were developed locally in the late 1970s when the need for harbour protection seemed became highlighted.

Although intended for use in the country’s harbours, they were also designed for launching and retrieving from protected beaches, and given the range to make their own way between ports if necessary. Built on a catamaran hull the HPBs have a total length of 9,5m, a beam of 2,5m and displace 4 tons, or 5,2t when fully loaded. Propulsion comes from two BMW petrol engines driving two shafts giving a design speed of 32 knots.

Armament in SAN service consisted of a 12.7mm machine gun, two 7.62mm light machine guns and one shotgun.