One of nine vessels for the Royal Bahamas Defense Force has been launched in Vietnam by Ha long Shipyard in partnership with the Damen Shipyards Group.

The vessel by the Dutch company is a Damen RoRo 5612, which is essentially a multi-purpose landing craft the BDF will use for civil defense and assistance missions, as well as law enforcement and replenishment at sea.

"The Bahamas' location in the hurricane belt makes it important that the country has this capability," said Damen.

"The Defense Force works with the National Emergency Management Agency for the provision of disaster relief. NEMA has pre-deployed warehouses throughout the country, stocked with all the necessary food, fuels, tools and equipment that the Defense Force is responsible for transporting in the event of an emergency."

Under its Sandy Bottom Project, the BDFF has ordered nine vessels from the company. The remaining vessels to be provided are four Stan Patrol 4207 boats and four Stan Patrol 3007 vessels.

The Shipbuilding Industry Corporation of Vietnam, parent company of Ha Long, reported last month that Damen Shipyards was expected to acquire a 49 percent stake in the company.