Diciotti-class offshore patrol vessel

Italian-designed offshore patrol vessel

CP-902 U. Diciotti in Mitillini Harbour, Greece

Class overview
Name| Saettia class
Builders| Fincantieri to Muggiano and Riva Trigoso (La Spezia) shipyards
Operators|

* Italian Coast Guard (Saettia Mk1 and Saettia Mk2)
*  Iraqi Navy (Saettia Mk4)
* Maritime Squadron AFM (Saettia Mk3)
*  Panamanian Public Forces (Saettia Mk2)

Preceded by| Kondor I-class (Malta)
Subclasses|

* Malta - P61
* Iraq - Saettia MK4

Built| 1984-2009
In commission| 1999-2009
Planned| Italy: 6, Malta: 1, Iraq: 4
Building| Italy: 6, Malta: 1, Iraq: 4
Completed| Italy: 6, Malta: 1, Iraq: 4
Active| Italy: 4, Malta: 1, Iraq: 2, Panama: 2
General characteristics
Class & type| Saettia Mk1
Displacement| 390 t (380 long tons)
Length|

* \- 51.7 m (170 ft) LOA
* \- 47.2 m (155 ft) LPP

Beam| 8.10 m (26.6 ft)
Draft| 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
Propulsion|

* \- 4 x shafts with variable-pitch propellers
* \- 4 x diesel engines MTU 16V538TIB93, 13,000 kW (17,000 bhp)
* \- 3 x diesel engines generators Isotta Fraschini L1306 T2 ME, 3 x 150 kW (200 bhp)

Speed| 40 knots (74 km/h)
Range| 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried| 2 x RHIBs
Complement| 29
Sensors &
processing systems|

* \- 2 navigation radar, X and S band, GEM Elettronica SPN-753
* \- IRST fire control system

Armament| 1 × Otobreda KBA 25/80 mm; 2 x 12.7mm MGs
General characteristics
Class & type| Saettia Mk2 [1]
Displacement| 427.0 t (420.3 long tons), full load
Length|

* \- 52.8 m (173 ft) LOA
* \- 47.2 m (155 ft) LPP

Beam| 8.10 m (26.6 ft)
Draft| 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
Depth| 5.4 m (18 ft)
Propulsion|

* \- 2 x shafts with variable-pitch propellers
* \- 4 × diesel engines Isotta Fraschini V1716 T2 MSD, 4 x 2,360 kW (3,160 bhp)
* \- 3 x diesel engines generators Isotta Fraschini L1306 T2 ME, 3 x 208 kW (279 bhp)
* \- 1 x emergency diesel engines generator
* \- 1 x bow thruster

Speed| max 31 knots (57 km/h)
Range| 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h)
Endurance| 7 days
Boats & landing
craft carried| 2 x RHIBs
Complement| 29
Sensors &
processing systems|

* \- 2 navigation radar, X and S band, GEM Elettronica SPN-753XS(V)2
* \- IRST fire control system GEM Elettronica EOSS/100

Armament| 1 × Oerlikon 20/70 mm; 2 x 12.7mm MGs
Notes| VERTREP capability
General characteristics
Class & type| Saettia Mk3
Displacement| 391.0 t (384.8 long tons), full load
Length|

* \- 53.4 m (175 ft) LOA
* \- 47.2 m (155 ft) LPP

Beam| 8.10 m (26.6 ft)
Draft| 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
Depth| 5.4 m (18 ft)
Propulsion|

* \- 2 x shafts with variable-pitch propellers
* \- 2 × diesel engines Isotta Fraschini V1716 T2 MSD, 2 x 2,360 kW (3,160 bhp) (since 2017 replaced with Caterpillar 3516C engines, 2,350 kW (3,150 bhp))[2]
* \- 3 x diesel engines generators Isotta Fraschini L1306 T2 ME, 3 x 208 kW (279 bhp)
* \- 1 x bow thruster

Speed| 23 knots (43 km/h)
Range| 2,100 nautical miles (3,900 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried| 1 x 7 meter RHIB
Complement| 25
Sensors &
processing systems| Surface Search E/F-Band; Navigation I-Band
Armament|

* \- 1 × OTO Melara 25/80 gun with Oerlikon KBA 25mm;
* \- 2 x 12.7mm MGs

Aviation facilities| flight deck for 1 x medium helicopter (AB-212 class)
General characteristics
Class & type| Saettia Mk4
Displacement| 401.0 t (394.7 long tons), full load
Length|

* \- 53.4 m (175 ft) LOA
* \- 47.2 m (155 ft) LPP

Beam| 8.10 m (26.6 ft)
Draft| 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
Depth| 5.40 m (17.7 ft)
Propulsion|

* \- 2 shafts with variable-pitch propellers
* \- 2 × diesel engines Isotta Fraschini V1716 T2 MSD, 2 x 2,360 kW (3,160 bhp)
* \- 3 x diesel engines generators Isotta Fraschini L1306 T2 ME, 2 x 208 kW (279 bhp)
* \- 1 x emergency diesel engines generator

Speed| 23 knots (43 km/h)
Range| 2,100 nautical miles (3,900 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried| 1 x 11 meter RHIB on stern ramp + 1 x 5 meter RHIB
Complement| 38
Sensors &
processing systems| Surface Search E/F-Band; Navigation I-Band
Armament| 1 × Otobreda Marlin 30 mm; 2 x 12.7mm MGs

The Diciotti class is an Italian-designed offshore patrol vessel, presently in use with the Italian Coast Guard, Iraqi Navy, Armed Forces of Malta and Panama SENAN. These ships are designed and built by Fincantieri on the bay of La Spezia to Muggiano and Riva Trigoso shipyards.

## Italian Coast Guard (Saettia Mk1 and Mk2)

[edit]

Based on the earlier experimental Saettia class (Saettia MK1), the Diciotti class (Saettia MK2) is an advanced and improved version with a longer length, more power and hence greater patrol endurance.

## Malta - Maritime Squadron AFM (Saettia Mk3)

[edit]

P61 in 2006 P61 at Hay Wharf, with the rear launching ramp visible.

In 2003, the Armed Forces of Malta ordered a replacement for the former East German Kondor class patrol boats P29, P30 and P31, due to the increase in flow of refugees from North Africa to Europe.

The design for P61 (Saettia MK3) provides a clear rear half to the ship, providing sufficient space with reinforcement to land a helicopter, up to the size of an AW139. P61 has the capability of carrying out patrols up to Sea State 5, and withstand sea conditions up to Sea State 7. It can launch a rib patrol boat via a rear launch ramp up to Sea State 4. This combination of modifications increases vessel weight to 450-tonnes, and reduces standard crew capacity to 25. Maximum unrefueled patrol range at 20 knots (37 km/h) is 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km).[3]

The €17m Euros contract, financed entirely from the 5th Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol, covered the construction of the vessel together with an associated training and logistic support package. The ship was commissioned on October 1, 2005 and operational from November 5, 2005.[4] P61 acts as the flagship of the Armed Forces of Malta.[3]

The vessel has been updated in 2017 with overhaul and engine refit (Caterpillar engines replace Isotta Fraschini engines), by Fincantieri, to a cost around €7 million.

On 5 June 2019 the P61 rescued the lives of 147 migrants after they‘ve been sending distress calls in the Maltese SAR area. In total AFM vessels rescued 370 immigrants on one of the busiest days in recent history for the navy. The other migrants were rescued by the P52 and the P21.[5][6]

On 11 June 2019, P61 rescued 97 migrants and brought them safely to Malta. This rescue comes less than a week after 147 migrants were rescued by this same vessel.[7][8][9]

On 24 August 2019, P61 brought to Malta a group of migrants totalling 356. This happened after Malta finally decided to give a safe port to these souls that were aboard the NGO vessel Ocean Viking for 14 consecutive days. The Maltese government said that all of the migrants will be relocated to other EU countries. This group happens to be the biggest arrival of the year to date.[10]

On 13 September 2023, P61 left Malta for Libya on an aid mission after the catastrophic damage caused to the coastal city of Derna by Medicane Daniel. Onboard the vessel there was 73 first responders which included 31 CPD members, 12 soldiers that includes doctors and nurses and the 30 member crew manning the boat. Two rescue vehicles and a dinghy were also onboard.[11][12]

P61 returned back to base at Malta on the 17th of September with all the 73 members of the aid squad returning safely to their home country.[13]

## Iraq (Saettia MK4)

[edit]

In 2006, the new Iraqi Navy signed a contract with the Italian Government to purchase four modified Diciotti class vessels to patrol its 58 kilometre coast line.[14][15][16]

The vessels are to be built by Fincantieri at Riva Trigoso, with modifications including increased crew capacity of 38. The contract also comprises the provision of logistical support and crew training with each crew completing a 7-week training course. In cooperation with the Marina Militare (Italian Navy), each commissioning crew is provided with a week’s bridge simulator course at the Naval Academy in Livorno.[14]

In May 2009, the first vessel, Patrol Ship 701 named Fatah (Arabic for Victory), was handed over at the Muggiano, La Spezia shipyard. The crew had been training since January 2009, and now headed for Umm Qasr, a 20 day/5,000 nautical mile journey via the Mediterranean, Suez Canal and Red Sea.[15] There, additional training was completed, before the vessel took over duties from the British Royal Marine patrols, who then reverted to training the new crew.[15]

The vessels are used to patrol the exclusive economic zone, control maritime traffic, for search and rescue and fire fighting.

## Panama - SENAN, National Air and Navy Service of Panama (Saettia Mk2)

[edit]

Following an agreement reached in June 2010, Italy delivered CP 902 Ubaldo Diciotti and CP 903 Luigi Dattilo to SENAN - National Air and Navy Service of Panama as P 901 and P 902 in April 2014.

## Vessels

[edit]

Italian Coast Guard \- Saettia class (Saettia MK1)

Ship  | Pennant
number | Hull
number  | Shipyard  | Laid Down  | Launched  | Commissioned  | IMO
MMSI  | Note
Saettia | CP-901  | 920  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  | June 1984  | December 1984  | 20 July 1999  | 223102208
247702000  | ex experimental Fincantieri DA-360T patrol boat
Italian Coast Guard \- Diciotti class (Saettia MK2)
Ubaldo Diciotti | CP-902  | 6083  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  | 2001  | 20 July 2002  |  | in 2014 delivered as P901 to  Panamanian Public Forces SENAN, Panama
Luigi Dattilo | CP-903  | 6084  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  | 2001  | 30 November 2002  |  | in 2014 delivered as P902 to  Panamanian Public Forces SENAN, Panama
Michele Fiorillo | CP-904  | 6085  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  | 2001  | January 2003  |  |
Alfredo Peluso | CP-905  | 6105  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  |  | 3 July 2003  |  |
Oreste Corsi | CP-906  | 6107  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  |  | 8 January 2004  |  |
Malta \- P61 class (Saettia MK3)
P61 | P61  | 6126  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  | 24 June 2005  | 1 October 2005  |  |
Iraq \- Fatah class (Saettia MK4)
Fateh(لفتح)  | 701  | 6156  | Riva Trigoso
(La Spezia)  |  | 2009  | 9 October 2009  |
el-Naser (لناصر)  | 702  | 6157  | Riva Trigoso
(La Spezia)  |  | 28 January 2009  | 2 May 2009  |
Majid ( ماجد)  | 703  | 6158  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  | 15 April 2009  | 16 December 2009  |  |
Shmookh (شموخ)  | 704  | 6159  | Muggiano
(La Spezia)  |  | 15 September 2009  | 16 December 2009  |  |

## See also

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Classe Saettia.

* Falaj 2-class patrol vessel \- a more heavily armed patrol vessel based on the Diciotti.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Saettia MK2". Fincantieri (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
2. ^ Peruzzi, Luca (30 November 2017). "Fincantieri redelivers upgraded OPV to Malta". Jane's Navy International. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
3. ^ a b "Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) P61". Armed Forces of Malta. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
4. ^ "Diciotti-class at AFM Maritime Squadron 2nd Regiment". Schnellboot.net (in German). Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
5. ^ "UPDATED (2): Total of 370 immigrants landed in three voyages - TVM News". 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
6. ^ "More than 370 migrants rescued by AFM, in busiest day of arrivals in recent years". 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
7. ^ https://lovinmalta.com/news/local/97-migrants-including-two-women-one-pregnant-and-two-children-rescued-by-afm-in-maltese-waters[permanent dead link]
8. ^ "97 migrants rescued at sea off Malta:report - Xinhua | English.news.cn". Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
9. ^ "UPDATED (2): AFM rescues 97 immigrants; President Vella discusses immigration - TVM News". 11 June 2019.
10. ^ "WATCH: Ocean Viking migrants brought to Malta last night - TVM News". 24 August 2019.
11. ^ "73 Maltese rescue workers on their way to aid Libya's people". TVMnews.mt. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
12. ^ "73 helpers in Libya to help after Storm Daniel disaster - the Malta Independent".
13. ^ https://newsbook.com.mt/en/maltese-rescue-workers-in-libya-heading-back/ [bare URL]
14. ^ a b "Iraq receives first Patrol Vessel "Fateh"". Defence Professionals GmbH. 16 May 2009. Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
15. ^ a b c Owen, Richard (16 May 2009). "Iraq's fledgeling navy takes possession of its first naval patrol boat". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
16. ^ "Naval Vessel Mark IV". Fincantieri.it. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.

* v
* t
* e

List of ships built by Fincantieri

Warships|

* Andrea Doria
* Assad-class corvettes
* Bergamini-class frigates
* Caio Duilio
* Carvajal
* Cassiopea-class patrol vessels
* Cavour
* Deepak
* Diciotti-class offshore patrol vessels
* Doha-class corvettes
* Durand de la Penne-class destroyers
* Esmeraldas-class corvette
* Etna
* Falaj 2-class patrol vessels
* Giuseppe Garibaldi
* Laksamana-class corvettes
* Maestrale-class frigates
* Minerva-class corvettes
* San Giorgio-class amphibious transport docks
* San Giusto
* Sauro-class submarines
* Scirè
* Shakti
* Toti-class submarines
* Vittorio Veneto
* Musherib-class offshore patrol vessels
* Villavicencio
* Vulcano-class logistic support ships

Cruise ships|

* Amsterdam
* Arcadia
* L'Austral
* Azura
* Le Boreal
* Britannia
* Caribbean Princess
* Carnival Breeze
* Carnival Conquest
* Carnival Dream
* Carnival Freedom
* Carnival Glory
* Carnival Horizon
* Carnival Liberty
* Carnival Magic
* Carnival Panorama
* Carnival Splendor
* Carnival Sunshine
* Carnival Sunrise
* Carnival Valor
* Carnival Victory
* Carnival Vista
* Concordia-class cruise ships
* Costa Concordia
* Costa Deliziosa
* Costa Diadema
* Costa Fascinosa
* Costa Firenze
* Costa Fortuna
* Costa Luminosa
* Costa Magica
* Costa neoClassica
* Costa neoRomantica
* Costa Pacifica
* Costa Serena
* Costa Venezia
* Crown Princess
* Dawn Princess
* Discovery Princess
* Destiny-class cruise ships
* Disney Magic
* Disney Wonder
* Emerald Princess
* Eurodam
* Fram
* Golden Princess
* Grand Princess
* Koningsdam
* Le Lyrial
* Maasdam
* Majestic Princess
* Marina
* Nieuw Amsterdam
* Nieuw Statendam
* Noordam
* Ocean Princess
* Oosterdam
* MS Ambience
* Pacific Jewel
* Queen Elizabeth
* Queen Victoria
* Regal Princess
* Riviera
* Rotterdam
* Royal Princess
* Ryndam
* Royal-class cruise ships
* Ruby Princess
* Sea Princess
* Seabourn Encore
* Seabourn Ovation
* MSC Seaside
* MSC Seaview
* Seven Seas Explorer
* Sky Princess
* Silver Muse
* Silver Spirit
* Le Soléal
* Star Princess
* Sun-class cruise ships
* Sun Princess (1995)
* Sphere-class cruise ships
* Sun Princess (2024)
* Star Princess
* The Calypso
* Vasco da Gama
* Veendam (1996)
* Ventura
* Viking Sea
* Viking Sky
* Viking Star
* Viking Sun
* Volendam
* Westerdam
* Zaandam
* Zuiderdam

Ferries|

* al-Salam Boccaccio 98
* Almudaina Dos
* Gotlandia II
* Knossos Palace
* Festos Palace
* Hellenic Wind
* MDV1200-class fast ferries
* Pride of Hull
* Pride of Rotterdam
* Star-class ferries
* Speedrunner III
* Speedrunner IV
* Superstar

Cargo ships|

* Britannia Seaways
* Cape Victory
* Cape Vincent

Yachts|

* Destriero
* Serene
* Victory

Miscellaneous vessels|

* Alliance
* Castoro Sei
* Elettra
* Karadeniz Powership İrem Sultan
* Spirit of Columbus
* Sagar Nidhi
* Saipem 7000
* Scarabeo 8
* Ta Kuan

Related|

* Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico
* Fincantieri

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template