During Q1 of 2021, the Italian law enforcement agency that is mainly focused on dealing with financial crimes and drug smuggling – Guardia Di Finanza (GdF) added a 44 m patrol craft to its maritime patrol and surveillance fleet – TENENTE PETRUCCI with pennant number PV10.
TENENTE PETRUCCI honours Lieutenant Franco Petrucci, one of three GdF personnel who were killed in the September 9, 1966 terror bombing attack by the southern Italian BAS secessionist group.
The fast patrol vessel was built in the Effebi SpA shipyard in Massa-Avenza and then transported to Viareggio for her official launch that happened on 26th January 2021. The ceremony took place in the presence of the General Commander, Gen. Giuseppe Zafarana; the Central Aeronaval Commander, Gen. Michele Carbone; the ship godmother Mrs Clelia Catalucci, niece of Lieutenant Petrucci, after whom the patrol is named; the Balducci family and the civil, religious and military authorities. The entire military division team, led by the Head of Operations Military Division Fabio Bonaccorsi, also took part in the event.
The climax of the ceremony was the blessing of the vessel, followed by the traditional smashing of the bottle by the ship godmother, niece of Lieutenant Petrucci.
With a length (loa) of 44 metres, a beam of 8.6 metres, and a composite hull that ensures improved seakeeping ability under nearly all weather conditions in addition to being lightweight,she is crewed by 23 people and can accommodate up to 150 people on board during rescue operations.
She was built following the award of the tender issued by the Guardia di Finanza, co-financed by the EU as part of the Internal Security Fund (FRONTEX, European Border and Coast Guard Agency) in 2019 and is powered by waterjet propulsion and 4 MTU 16V2000M96L engines of 1939kW@2450 rpm, reaching up to 45 knots of speed and a range of 700 miles at maximum speed, thus allowing efficient patrolling in the Mediterranean Sea.
She has a RHIB at her stern and has 4 x Humphree HE1150 interceptors; 2 x Humphree HAE500 interceptors. The Interceptor system creates a hydrodynamic lift force by intercepting the water flow underneath the hull. In that way the interceptor creates a lift force acting on the hull instead of on the trim-device itself.
All images were taken last Thursday 11th January, 2024 at Pozzallo Port, Sicily
