The US Government Sponsored Orbi Boat Launched in Port of Poti
On April 2nd the ORBI class vessel P-205 was commissioned in the Georgian port town of Poti. The 23m long vessel is a modernization project for the Georgian Coast Guard funded by U.S. Government’s Georgian Border Security and Law Enforcement Program (GBSLE) at a cost of approximately $1M.
Ambassador Tefft, who visited the Batumi shipyard earlier to observe the reconstruction process, commented that “The commissioning of the ORBI is another great achievement in U.S. – Georgian cooperation in border security. It was designed by a team of American and Georgian engineers, funded by the U.S. Government and built by the Batumi shipyard. The ORBI’s multiple mission capability means it can respond to rescue, economic, and security situations. It really represents the best of a changing Georgia.”
The ORBI was created by stripping down an older Soviet era GRIF boat, and then rebuilding the vessel with state of the art engines, generators, communications and electronics, firefighting systems, installation of a 4m rigid hull inflatable boat and crane, a towing bitt, and other functionalities. The project was completed with a refurbishment of living spaces for Coast Guard persons serving aboard. A crew of 6 people is assigned.
A second ORBI is in its’ transformation process at the Batumi Shipyard and is expected for delivery later in 2007. The multiple mission capable vessels give the Georgian Coast Guard a greater ability in the maritime law enforcement domain. |
