HMS Cutlass: Gibraltar’s new patrol boat commissioned into fleet

The first of two new Gibraltar patrol boats has been commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet.Federica Romaniello6th May 2022 at 1:27pm

HMS Cutlass has been commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet in a ceremony at Gibraltar Naval Base.

She is the first of two new £5m patrol boats in charge of guarding the waters around the Rock and has already started patrols.

The hoisting of the White Ensign on Cutlass comes after months of sea trials.

• HMS Cutlass: Take a look at the newest member of the Royal Navy family
• Are two of the Navy’s expert patrol boats up for sale?
• Gibraltar Squadron’s fast patrol craft to be replaced in £9.9m deal

HMS Cutlass will soon be joined by her sister ship HMS Dagger, completing the £10m investment in the new patrol boats for the Gibraltar Squadron.

The two agile patrol boats will replace P2000 HMS Purser and her sister HMS Dasher in Gibraltar’s waters.

Cutlass and Dagger are 19m long and can hit speeds of 40 knots.

Both boats are equipped with three machine guns and the latest electronic optical equipment to assist in identifying potential threats.

Lieutenant Commander Adam Colman assumed command of Cutlass in the ceremony, watched by more than 100 sailors and their families.

“It is an honour to be able to mark this very special occasion today,” he said.

Gibraltar’s Commander British Forces, Commodore Steve Dainton, His Excellency Sir David Steel, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Mrs Justine Picardo, who was named the Lady Sponsor of the vessel, were also in attendance.

The Gibraltar Squadron provides security in British Territorial Waters and protection to visiting warships, submarines and support vessels alongside their civilian counterparts in the Gibraltar Defence Police force.