RPC12

Remorqueurs Portuaires et Côtiers de 12 tonnes de traction au point fixe (RPC12)

Le Four maneuvering in Brest harbour (10 November 2004)
Class overview
Name:	RPC-12
Builders:	Lorient Naval Industries (LNI), SOCARENAM
Operators:	French Navy
Preceded by:	Actif class, Acajou class, Aigrette class, Bonite class.
Subclasses:	RPC12 type A, RPC12 type B, RP12[1]
Completed:	17
General characteristics
Type:	harbour tugboat
Displacement:	220 tonnes (259 full load)[2]
Length:	25 metres[2]
Beam:	8.4 metres[2]
Height:	13.2 metres (6.9m with mast removed) [2]
Draught:	3.4 metres[2]
Propulsion:	Type A: 2 x SACM-Wärtsilä UD30 V12 M3D diesel engines (2 x 683 HP) Type B: 2 x Baudouin 12P15 2S SKC diesel engines (2 x 660 HP) [2]
Speed:	11 knots[2]
Range:	800 nm at 10 knots[2]
Boats & landing craft carried:	1 Rigid-hulled inflatable boat[2]
Complement:	5 (harbour operations) to 8 (coastal operations)[2]
Sensors and processing systems:	One navigation radar: Type A: Decca RM170 A682 Rascas: Furuno Others: Racal Decca Bridgemaster C181-4[2]

The RPC12 (Remorqueurs Portuaires et Côtiers de 12 tonnes de traction au point fixe, "Harbour and Coastal tugboat, 12-tonne bollard pull") is a type of harbour tugboat operated by the French Navy. They utilise Voith propulsion to develop a 12-tonne bollard pull.^[1]

The RPC12 has been declined into three sub-types: the original version, called "Type A" (comprising Fréhel and Saire), was designed as a dual-purpose tugboat capable of supporting shipping operations both in harbours and off the coast. After the two first units, the design was simplified, while retaining most functionalities, to reduce cost, yielding the "Type B" (comprising Armen, La Houssaye, Kéréon, Sicié and Taunoa). The nine remaining units constitute the RP12 type, which is further simplified to operate only within harbours (comprising Lardier, Giens, Mengam, Balaguier, Taillat, Nividic, Port Cros, Le Four and Eckmühl). Because of these differing capabilities, the RPC12 of both types are classified "auxiliaries", with an "A"-prefixed pennant number, while the RP12 are considered "yard vessels", with the corresponding "Y"-prefixed pennant numbers.^[1]

The latest in the series, Rascas, is an improved high-sea ship with better sonic isolation and air conditioning, or use in tropical waters,^[1] and a different radar.^[2]

• 
  Profile view of Armen undergoing repairs, with her Voith Schneider Propellers clearly visible under the hull
• 
  Detail of Armen's propellers

Ships

External Links/Sources

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RPC12 type tugboats.

• Remorqueurs côtiers de type Fréhel, French Ministry of Defence.

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