‘Rhône’ is the second unit in a series of four vessels on order from Kership by the French Navy. BSAM ‘Loire’, the first ship of the class, was commissioned in July 2018. The third and fourth units, ‘Seine’ and ‘Garonne’ are set to be delivered in the first quarter and in the summer of 2019 respectively.
The French Navy’s Chief of Staff praised ‘Rhône”s long cruise in the Arctic zone. He mentioned the A crew of the BSAM Rhône, who “distinguished itself by sailing, without assistance and for the first time in the history of the French Navy, the Northeast Passage […] and has shown availability, dedication and a remarkable ability to adapt to new and complex situations”.
The French Navy recently changed the designation of several vessels in its fleet. Previously known as BSAH (for Bâtiments de Soutien et d’Assistance Hauturiers or Offshore Support & Assistance Vessel) the Loire-class is known designated as BASM (for Bâtiments de Soutien et d’Assistance Métropolitains or Metropolitan Offshore Support & Assistance Vessel).
Loire-class vessels can conduct a wide range of support missions: They were designed to accommodate divers, to carry weapons and ammunition, to support submarines and surface ships, to tow underwater antennas, as well as to deploy a pollution control dam. They have a towing capacity of 80 tons of traction, a navigation speed of 14 knots and a significant endurance of about 30 days (without refueling). They are fitted with an 8 meters boat, several RHIBs and a crane for loading and unloading containers.
BSAH main caracteritics
Length overall: 70.30 m
Breadth: 15.80 m
Draft: 5.00 m
Displacement: 2,960 tonnes
Dead-weight: approx. 1000 T
Loading area on deck: 250 m²
Speed: 14 knots
Hull / superstructure: Steel
Amenities: 17 (crew) + 12 passengers
Engine: 2 x 2 650 kilowatts
Generators: 2 x 300 kWe
