Centauro-class patrol boat explained

The Centauro-class patrol boat is a series of four patrol boats in service with the Portuguese Navy. It is an evolution of the preceding . This class is meant for fisheries inspection and control duties mainly in the Mainland Portugal shores – with some sporadic presence in the Madeira Archipelago. The Centauro class is Portuguese-designed and built at the Arsenal do Alfeite (Almada) and Estaleiros Navais do Mondego (Figueira da Foz).

Design and description

The Centauro-class patrol boats are an evolution of the, constructed of aluminium instead of the Argos glass reinforced plastic design. The Centauro class measure 28.4m (93.2feet) long with a beam of 5.95m (19.52feet) and a draught of 1.45m (04.76feet). The patrol boats have a standard displacement of 82t and fully loaded. The vessels are powered by two Cummins KTA-50-M2 diesel engines turning two shafts creating 3600hp. This gives the vessels a maximum speed of 26kn, though they did make during sea trials. They have a range of 1350nmi at or at . The Centauros are equipped with two Cummins 6BT5.95(M) diesel generators producing 150 kW of electricity. The ships can operate in sea state 3.

The patrol boats mount a single Oerlikon 20mm/70 Mk 4 gun for anti-air defence. The ships were equipped with navigational radar only. They also carry a launch carried on a launch-and-recovery ramp on the stern and the boat can be recovered at speeds up to . The vessels have a complement of eight, including one officer.

Construction and career

The class were ordered in 1998 as an improved version of the Argos class. They were designed and built in Portugal. Upon entering service, the vessels were deployed for fisheries protection, search and rescue and general patrol. The Centauros take part in some naval exercises and some training. In 2006, one boat of this class, NRP Sagitário, became the first Portuguese warship with a female commander, the second lieutenant Gisela Antunes.^{[1] [2]}

Ships

Pennant	Name	Builder	Commissioned	Status
P1155		Arsenal do Alfeite	21 March 2000	Active
P1156			27 March 2001	Active
P1157		Estaleiros Navais do Mondego	27 March 2001	Active
P1158			27 March 2001	Active

References

• Web site: NRP Centauro . Portuguese Navy . pt . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127235128/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-centauro.aspx . 27 January 2021 . 22 October 2021 . live . .
• Web site: NRP Orion . pt . Portuguese Navy . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127223430/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-orion.aspx . 27 January 2021 . 22 October 2021 . live . .
• Web site: NRP Pégaso . pt . Portuguese Navy . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117055622/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-pegaso.aspx . 17 January 2021 . 22 October 2021 . live . .
• Web site: NRP Sagitário . pt . Portuguese Navy . https://web.archive.org/web/20210117071121/https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/nrp-sagit%C3%A1rio.aspx . 17 January 2021 . 22 October 2021 . live . .
• Book: Saunders . Stephen . 2009 . Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 . Jane's Information Group Inc. . 112th . Alexandria, Virginia . 978-0-7106-2888-6.
• Book: Wertheim . Eric . 2013 . The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World . 16th . Naval Institute Press . Annapolis, Maryland . 9-7-815911-4954-5.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Primeira mulher a comandar navio da Marinha faz balanço positivo . RTP Notícias . pt . 8 March 2007 . 22 October 2021 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211022135045/https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/primeira-mulher-a-comandar-navio-da-marinha-faz-balanco-positivo_n41549 . 2021-10-22 .
2. No dia 16 de maio de 2006 . MarinhaPT . 16 May 2020 . 1261608694279790592 . 22 October 2021 .