Betelgeuse (ship, 2021)
Betelgeuse is a patrol vessel operated by the Navy of the Dominican Republic. She was a gift to the Dominican Republic, from the United States, built in the United States to a modification of the Damen 2606 design from the Damen Group. She is the first vessel, of 13, in the Defiant class of patrol vessel.
Design
The Dutch firm, Damen Group, are successful ship designers and ship builders. In addition to Tugboats and other civilian service vessels, they also have a family of designs of small and medium sized patrol vessels. Several other nations have already built ships to the Damen 2600 design, and the United States Coast Guard based their very successful Marine Protector class cutters on this design.
Like the similar Coast Guard vessels the Defiant class vessels are equipped with a Stern launching ramp that allows crew to deploy and retrieve a pursuit boat without first coming to a stop. Like the similar Coast Guard vessels the Defiant class vessels are designed to accommodate a crew of ten. The Coast Guard design provides for a larger space for the crew.
Operational career
In May of 2021 the Betelgeuse participated in a joint exercise with elements of the United State Navy.