Belgian ship Godetia (A960)

Godetia
History
Belgium
Name: Godetia
Namesake: HMS Godetia
Builder: Boelwerf, Temse
Launched: 7 December 1965
Commissioned: 1966
Homeport: Zeebrugge Naval Base
Identification:
Motto: "More majorum"
Fate: Active in service as of 2018
General characteristics
Displacement:
  • 1,700 tons standard,
  • 2,500 tons fully loaded
Length: 91.30 m (299.5 ft)
Beam: 14.00 m (45.93 ft)
Draught: 3.50 m (11.5 ft)
Propulsion: 4 × Caterpillar 3512 diesel engines, developing 6,000 bhp (4,500 kW) on 2 shafts
Speed: 19 knots (35 km/h)
Range: 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement: 95 (total); 8 officers, 29 NCOs and 55 sailors
Armament: 4 × .50 machine guns
Aircraft carried: 1 helicopter
Aviation facilities: A telescopic hangar is fitted to the ship, capable of carrying 1 helicopter.

Godetia (A960) is a command and logistical support ship of the Belgian Naval Component, launched on 7 December 1965 at the Boelwerf in Temse, and christened by Mrs. Moyersoen. The patronage of Godetia was accepted by the city of Ostend. She was the first of two support ships.

History

Godetia is the successor of HMS Godetia, a British Flower-class corvette which was manned by Belgian sailors during World War II.

She has undergone several changes during her long career: fitted with royal apartments, mounting of aft twin 40 mm guns and buildup of helicopter platform with three large rollers for spare magnetic cables, mounting of the three rollers and buildup of an helicopter hangar, mounting of fore twin 40 mm guns for one single, mounting of this one for .50 machine guns, electronics and navigation aids optimized.

Godetia has several missions: fishery protection, humanitarian aid, support and supply ship for minesweepers, and acting as a command ship in turn for NATO mine countermeasure operations, show the flag and travelling embassy. Still commissioned, she is scheduled to be maintained on duty until 2020. This will make her one of the oldest warships in active service.

References


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