FFC15 from Baglietto

The Italian shipyard Baglietto has a long history of building high performance craft to military requirements. Their latest offering in this sector is the FFC15 which is designed primarily as a troop transport but which, the company claims, could have a significant role to play in commercial marine operations.

The FFC15 is based on a deep vee hull constructed from aluminium. A unique feature of the design is a bow door that is installed below deck level and which allows direct access to a beach undercover. This door remains above the waterline when the boat is at rest and it can also be used for the recovery of objects or personnel from the water including divers. This door gives the FFC15 considerable versatility in the type of operations that it can carry out.

The wheelhouse has been kept low to reduce the overall height of the boat which can be a useful attribute when operating on rivers and canals and if it has to be stowed on board a mother ship. The mast structure that carries most of the antenna can be lowered to maintain the low overall height of the boat.

Located amidships within the hull is a space designed for carrying personnel. This can be fitted out to individual requirements and it has been sized to carry up to 18, although in civilian format this total could be restricted by legislation requirements. A 12 passenger version would work well as a high speed personnel transport for use during dredging or marine construction operations.

The 15.83 metre long hull is powered by a pair of MAN diesels with each one producing up to 800hp. These drive through a waterjet propulsion system that offers good manoeuvrability combined with maintaining a shallow draft for beach work. This draft is just 0.85 metres when the boat is at rest.

The top speed is an impressive 45 knots when lightly loaded and at this speed the range is up to 330 miles. Fuel is carried in a 2400 litre tank built into the hull.

For civilian use the FFC15 offers a very versatile work boat that could be used to support a variety of operations. The boat offers a stable platform for survey work and the personnel space could be equipped with specialist survey equipment. The boat can land and recover people from a beach and the bow door offers the possibility of operating divers and handling small buoys and other markers. Then there is the option for using it for high speed personnel transport to and from work sites.

It is the sheer versatility of the FFC15 that its builders claim could make it attractive to civilian contractors but it is also suitable as a fast patrol boat for military or para-military operations.