HMBS Bahamas (P-60)

The HMBS "Bahamas", along with sister ship "HMBS Nassau," is a 198 foot Offshore Patrol Vessel delivered to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on the 12th January, 1999. Both vessels were built by Moss Point Marine of Escatawpa, Mississippi (now VT Halper Marine).

The "Bahamas" serves the RBDF by patrolling Bahamian waters in anti-poaching and illegal immigration control missions, notably interdicting Hatian vessels, as well as drug enforcement missions in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard and Drug Enforcement Administration as part of Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT).

Two small Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, 4 .50 Caliber M2 machine guns mounted aft and at mid-ship, and a larger bow-mounted automatic cannon provide flexible capabilities in the face of different contingencies.

A full galley, sick-bay and living quarters allow the HMBS Bahamas to fulfill longer duration missions than many of the RBDF's other smaller vessels.

The comparatively large size of the "HMBS Bahamas" excludes it from use of the RBDF's primary facility at Coral Harbour on New Providence's west coast, and rather the vessel is based at Prince George Wharf in Nassau Harbour. Ironically, the "HMBS Bahamas" rarely sails, which many critical locals suggest is due to the RBDF's inability to afford fuel for it.cn}

Further Information

* [http://news.webshots.com/album/271729011MkmSNJ?start=0 Extensive Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cutter/reliance/reliancepressrelease02DEC06.htm Hatian Vessel Interdiction in Cooperation with USCGC Reliance]