This fishery-protection patrol boat was built by the Damen Shipyards, Gorinchem, Netherlands for the British Department of Fisheries, St Martins, Guernsey.
Launched as the LEOPARDESS.
Dim. 18.8 x 4.8 x 2.2m., draught 1.25m.
Powered by two Volvo TAMD 122P engines, 1.160 bhp, speed 23.5 knots.
Crew 6.
Aluminium construction, she is one of the Stan Patrol 1850 type patrol vessels.
1998 Delivered to owners.
Her primary role is fishery protection in the waters surrounding the Bailiwick of Guernsey. She has seen considerable action since commission and has already completed 8,000 miles of patrol in local waters. Guernsey has a dispute with France over fishing rights which has resulted in a number of incidents at sea in which the LEOPARDESS has been involved with units of the French Navy and Air force.
In addition to her fishery protection role she is occasionally used by Guernsey Customs for surveillance work and the police for emergency transportation of officers to the outlying islands. She is also equipped with facilities for transferring special categories of prisoners to secure units in the UK.
The LEOPARDESS is not only used by the Section but by various other States of Guernsey government departments including the police and the renewable energy team, as well as non- governmental organisations such as Guernsey Electricity Ltd. She also carries out fisheries work with the UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and both LEOPARDESS and her crew form part of Guernsey’s Search and Rescue (SAR) assets. Although LEOPARDESS continues to give excellent service to the Bailiwick, she is now 17 years old and the maintenance costs and operational and financial risks associated with running a vessel approaching the end of her working life of 20 years have risen considerably.
2015 Still in service.
Guernsey 1999 8p sg792, scott648.
Watercraft Philately 2000 page 58. Internet