The Bird class patrol boat was a common sight in the South Pacific for over 30 years. The design originates from a requirement issued by the Royal New Prydeinian Navy in 1970. A small vessel which could fulfil the civilian-orientated functions of the navy was required. Branson Farrow Boat Construction produced the most promising design and was contracted to build eight examples. These boats, named after New Prydeinian birds, entered service between 1972 and 1976. They were armed with two heavy machine guns and a single Bofors gun. The latter was occasionally fired across the bow of foreign trawlers which refused to heave to.
The Korongolese Coast Guard soon expressed its interest in the design. The ships of the KGC were worn and outdated at the time. Most had fought the communists during the Second Korongolese Civil War, while a fair number had also exchanged shots with the Japanese. Twenty Bird class vessels were built for the KGC in Korongolese shipyards between 1973 and 1979. These were more heavily armed than their New Prydeinian counterparts, with a second Bofors gun replacing the two heavy machine guns. The sensor suite also included an air-search radar with a range of approximately 60 nautical miles. Korongolese-built examples of the Bird class were named after Korongolese birds.
Branson Farrow Boat Construction built a ninth Bird class patrol boat in 1978. This vessel, later named Royal Penguin, was ordered by the Southern Cross Security Organisation and supplied to the small island nation of New Alba. The Bofors gun was not fitted. It was deemed excessive for an isolated population of 2000 people located 55° South. Royal Penguin will soon be the last Bird class vessel in service. New Prydein withdrew its last boat in 2010, while the Korongolese Coast Guard is currently in the process of withdrawing its own. It is operated by the New Alba Police.
The Korongolese Coast Guard soon expressed its interest in the design. The ships of the KGC were worn and outdated at the time. Most had fought the communists during the Second Korongolese Civil War, while a fair number had also exchanged shots with the Japanese. Twenty Bird class vessels were built for the KGC in Korongolese shipyards between 1973 and 1979. These were more heavily armed than their New Prydeinian counterparts, with a second Bofors gun replacing the two heavy machine guns. The sensor suite also included an air-search radar with a range of approximately 60 nautical miles. Korongolese-built examples of the Bird class were named after Korongolese birds.
Branson Farrow Boat Construction built a ninth Bird class patrol boat in 1978. This vessel, later named Royal Penguin, was ordered by the Southern Cross Security Organisation and supplied to the small island nation of New Alba. The Bofors gun was not fitted. It was deemed excessive for an isolated population of 2000 people located 55° South. Royal Penguin will soon be the last Bird class vessel in service. New Prydein withdrew its last boat in 2010, while the Korongolese Coast Guard is currently in the process of withdrawing its own. It is operated by the New Alba Police.
