French ship Lapérouse (A791)

Lapérouse (A791) docked at the quay of Bordeaux in 2017
Class overview
Name: Lapérouse
Builders: DCAN Lorient
Operators: French Navy
General characteristics
Class and type: Lapérouse
Type: Survey vessel
Displacement: 850 t
Length: 59 m
Beam: 10.9 m
Draft: 3.63 m
Installed power: 2500 hp (1840 kW); electric plant 620 kW
Propulsion: 2 diesel motors (SACM Wärtsilä UD30 RVR V12 M6), 2 controllable pitch propellers, 1 bow thruster
Range: 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots
Complement: 4 officers, 18 petty officers, 15 crew members, 11 hydrographers
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Navigational radar DECCA 1226
Armament: 2 AANF1 7.5 mm machine guns and 2 Browning M2 12.7 mm machine guns
Notes: electric plant 620 kW

The Lapérouse (A 791), sometimes spelled La Pérouse, is a hydrographic survey vessel, meaning a scientific ship that explores the sea floor in order to obtain a precise cartography, of the Lapérouse class of the French Navy. The vessel is deployed on the French coast[1], or in foreign waters within the framework of international cooperation[2]. It is fitted with electric propulsion and a hydrographic winch that allows it to perform oceanographic work.

History

Laid down on June 11, 1985 and launched on November 15, 1986, the hydrographic vessel Lapérouse entered into service on April 20, 1988. It is the first vessel of this type.

Based in Brest, the Lapérouse performs hydrographic work for the Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM), although since June 2, 2000 it is hierarchically attached to the Naval Action Force (FAN).

The principal mission of hydrographic vessels is scientific, but these ships are military. During their deployment they may confront sensitive situations: encounter pirates, respond to terrorist threats, evacuate citizens, or rescue seamen in distress[3]. These ships may also, from time to time, participate in action of the French State at sea by performing border patrol missions.

The patron city of Lapérouse is Albi (Tarn) since Octobre 7, 1988.

Characteristics

  • Displacement : 850 t.
  • Dimensions (meters) : 59 × 10,9 × 3.63.
  • Range : 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.
  • Propulsion : 2 SACM Wärtsilä UD30 RVR V12 M6 diesel motors, 2 controllable pitch propeller, 1 bow thruster.
  • Power : 2500 hp (1840 kW).
  • Radar : Navigational radar DECCA 1226.
  • Electric plant : 620 kW.
  • Complement : 4 officers, 18 petty officers, 15 crew members, 11 hydrographers.
Armament
  • Two AANF1 7.5 mm machine guns and two Browning M2 12.7 mm machine guns
  • Light arms
Note

The hull and the superstructures are painted white, as is the case for all scientific ships of the French Navy.

References

  1. ↑ Mission hydrographique en Atlantique pour le Lapérouse (French)
  2. ↑ Le bâtiment hydrographique Lapérouse met le cap sur l'Afrique de l'ouest (French)
  3. ↑ Gironde : deux marins sauvés au large de Cordouan 1 October 2014 (French)

See also

  • "Lapérouse (A 791)". Marine nationale.
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