NNS Okpabana

NNS Okpabana is a Hamilton-class high endurance cutter which formerly served with the U.S. Coast Guard as USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721). Built at Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans, Louisiana, Gallatin was named for Albert Gallatin, the fourth and longest serving United States Secretary of the Treasury. Gallatin completed her final patrol 11 December 2013 and was decommissioned in 2014 before being transferred to the Nigerian Navy.[1]

For other ships with the same name, see USRC Gallatin and USCGC Gallatin.

USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721)
History
United States
Name: USCGC Gallatin
Namesake: Albert Gallatin
Builder: Avondale Shipyards
Laid down: 17 April 1967
Launched: 18 November 1967
Commissioned: 20 December 1968
Decommissioned: 31 March 2014
Homeport: Charleston, South Carolina
Identification:
Motto: Virtus Cum Ingenio
Fate: Transferred to Nigerian Navy
Badge:
  • Crest of USCGC Gallatin
Nigeria
Name: NNS Okpabana
Acquired: 7 May 2014
Commissioned: 2017
Identification:
Status: Active
General characteristics
Class and type: Hamilton-class high endurance cutter
Displacement: 3,250 tons
Length: 378 ft (115 m)
Beam: 43 ft (13 m)
Draught: 15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion:
Speed: 29 knots (54 km/h)
Range: 14,000 mi (23,000 km)
Endurance: 45 days
Complement: 167 personnel
Sensors and
processing systems:		 AN/SPS-40 air-search radar
Armament:

Construction

Gallatin was laid down at Avondale Shipyards on 17 April 1967, as the seventh ship of her class. She was launched on 18 November 1967 and was commissioned on 20 December 1968.[2]

Design

The ship is designed as a high endurance cutter. Her crossing range of 9,600 nautical miles (17,800 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h)), and an 80-foot (24 m) flight deck, capable of handling helicopters, make the ship an ideal platform for extended patrol missions. Gallantin was one of the first naval vessels built with a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) turbine propulsion plant. Her engineering plant includes two 3,500 horsepower (2,600 kW) diesel engines, and two 18,000 horsepower (13,000 kW) gas turbines, which can achieve a top speed of 29 knots (54 km/h). Two 13-foot (3.96 m) diameter controllable pitch propellers, combined with a retractable and rotatable bow propulsion unit, give the ship high maneuverability.

The ship's capabilities are enhanced by advanced air search and surface search radars including the AN/SPS-73 digital surface radar system that incorporates a state of the art computerized collision avoidance system. She uses the Shipboard Command and Control System (SCCS) which uses a network of computers including large screen displays and a dedicated satellite network for communications. A closed circuit TV system enable's the Commanding Officer to monitor flight deck operations, machinery conditions, towing, damage control, and related activities from the bridge.

History

Gallatin's missions included enforcement of all U.S. maritime laws and treaties, fisheries conservation, marine pollution response, defense readiness, and search and rescue. Gallatin served with the United States Coast Guard until 31 March 2014, when she was decommissioned. On 7 May, she was transferred to the Nigerian Navy and renamed Okpabana.[3]

Nigerian service

On 19 February 2016 NNS Okpabana recaptured the pirated tanker Maximus in the Gulf of Guinea, killing one pirate and capturing six others.[4]

Photos
  • USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721)
  • Gallatin fires her 76 mm Mk 75 gun during a live-fire exercise

References
  1. Smith, Bruce (11 December 2013). "Coast Guard cutter returns from final patrol". Navy Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  2. Polmar, Norman (1981). The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet (Twelfth ed.). London: Arms and Armour Press. p. 368. ISBN 0-85368-397-2.
  3. "USCG Hands Over Decommissioned Cutter to Nigerian Navy". World Maritime News. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  4. "West African Navies Coming of Age?". Center for International Marine Security. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
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