Damen Shipyards to build SAR vessel for Lithuanian Navy

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract to construct a pollution incident response and search and rescue (SAR) vessel for the Lithuanian Navy. The agreement was signed in Vilnius on October 29, 2026, following a public procurement process led by the Environmental Projects Management Agency under Lithuania’s Ministry of Environment.

Based on the Damen Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 6711 design, the 67.3-meter vessel is intended to replace an existing unit in the Lithuanian fleet. The ship will support maritime security, firefighting, and pollution response. Key technical features include a FiFi 1 firefighting system, DP1 dynamic positioning, and a capacity to accommodate up to 50 survivors with an onboard medical treatment facility.

The vessel will feature a large working deck capable of holding six 20-foot containers and a helicopter deck suitable for aircraft up to the size of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. This allows for medical evacuations and vertical replenishment missions. The design also includes a Sea Axe bow for improved seakeeping and an ice-class 1D hull.