NPa Babitonga (P-63)

The NPA Babitonga (P-63) is a vessel of the Brazilian Navy, belonging to the Bracuí Class, which serves as the patrol ship.

History
The Babitonga served the Royal Navy, where he held the post of a minesweeper ship named HMS Arun (M-2014).

Its construction was made by the shipyard Richards, at Lowestoft, Great Britain.

Originally belonging to River Class, the keel was laid in on February 4 of 1985, was launched to sea on 20 August of 1985, incorporated on April 29 in 1986 and written off from the English Navy in September 18th of 1998.

Acquired by the Navy of Brazil, was incorporated into the Army in September 18th of 1998 in Devonport, England.

Its mission is to inspect naval patrol ship, the safety of life at sea, and surveillance of territorial waters in the Brazilian area of responsibility is subordinate to the Naval Group Command South (ComGrupNS), 5th Naval District. Its base is the port of Rio Grande. It operates on the coast of the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Parana.

Origin of name
The P-63 is the second Navy vessel to bear the name Babitonga, which celebrates the Bay Babitonga in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.

The first ship was the destroyer escort CTE Babitonga (D-16), who was in the service of the Brazilian Navy between 1945 and 1964.

Specifications

 * Displacement: 630 tons (standard), 720 ton (full load)
 * Dimensions (m): length 47.6, 10.5 and 3.1 of the mouth shut
 * Speed (knots): 14 (maximum)
 * Propulsion: 2 diesel Ruston RKCM type 6 of 1,700 bhp per engine
 * Fuel: 88 tons capacity
 * Range: 4,500 nautical miles at 10 knots, 21 days in continuous operation
 * Electrical System: 2 diesel generators G & M Power of 230 kW.
 * Armament:
 * 1 gun Bofors 40 mm Mk 3
 * 2 guns
 * Crew: 35 men (4 officers)
 * Equipment:
 * A boat RHIB to 10 men;
 * A raft for six men;