MV VOS Grace
{{Short description|Supply vessel}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Vos Grace (20702831428).jpg |Ship caption=The MV VOS Grace }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header= |Ship country=United Kingdom{{cite web|url=http://www.vroon.nl/Files/VesselParticulars/VOS%20GRACE20170213012235.pdf|title=VOS GRACE Ship Particulars|accessdate=2017-08-15|website=Vroon Offshore}} |Ship flag={{shipboxflag|UK|civil}} |Ship registry=Aberdeen, United Kingdom (2015–present) |Ship name=VOS Grace |Ship ordered= |Ship builder=Fujian Southeast Shipyard, Fuzhou, China{{cite news|url=http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/vos-grace-leaves-shipyard|newspaper=Hellenic Shipping News|date=12 June 2015|title=VOS Grace leaves Shipyard|accessdate=2017-08-15}} |Ship laid down= |Ship yard number= |Ship acquired= |Ship commissioned=04 June 2015 |Ship decommissioned= |Ship in service= |Ship operator=2015–present: Vroon Offshore |Ship out of service= |Ship renamed= |Ship struck= |Ship reinstated= |Ship honours= |Ship captured= |Ship fate= |Ship status=In service |Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|9680542}}{{cite web|url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:3388990/mmsi:235103026/imo:9680542/vessel:VOS_GRACE|title=Vessel Details for VOS GRACE|website=MarineTraffic|accessdate=2017-08-15}}
|Ship notes= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class=Platform supply vessel |Ship displacement= |Ship length={{convert|60|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|15|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship draught={{convert|5.014|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |Ship power={{convert|2800|kW|HP|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion=*Two Caterpillar engines
|Ship speed={{convert|14|kn|km/h|lk=in}} |Ship range= |Ship endurance= |Ship boats= |Ship complement=*23 crew |Ship armament= |Ship notes= }} |
MV VOS Grace is a platform supply vessel registered in the United Kingdom and operated by Vroon Offshore. Built in Fujian province, China, the VOS Grace was chartered by the UK government to assist the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Border Force in 2016 with operations intercepting migrants crossing the Aegean Sea during the European migrant crisis. The ship operated alongside {{RFAux|Mounts Bay}} of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the two Border Force cutters.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
Construction
Owned by Vroon Offshore, the VOS Grace is a platform supply vessel of steel construction and classed with the American Bureau of Shipping. The ship was built at the Fujian Southeast Shipyard in the city of Fuzhou, China, and was completed on 4 June 2015.
Propulsion
VOS Grace is powered by twin Caterpillar diesel engines with a total output of {{convert|2800|kW|HP|abbr=on}} giving a maximum speed of {{convert|14|kn|lk=in}}. Propulsion is given by two variable pitch propellers The ship also has three thrusters to allow for manoeuvring at slow speed: one forward, one aft and one retractable azimuth thruster.
Operational history
To support the United Kingdom's contribution to Frontex search and rescue missions in 2016,{{cite news|url=http://www.securitynewsdesk.com/maritime-security-eu-naval-mission-sails-in-troubled-waters/|first=Tim|last=Compston|newspaper=Maritime Security|title=Maritime security – EU naval mission sails in troubled waters|date=27 July 2016|accessdate=2017-08-15}}{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-01-26/24322/|title=Migration: Mediterranean Sea:Written question - 24322|publisher=|accessdate=4 August 2016}} VOS Grace was chartered by the UK government to provide assistance to {{RFAux|Mounts Bay}} and two UK Border Force cutters assisting with intercepting migrants crossing the Aegean Sea.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35742625|title=Migrant crisis: UK to send ships to tackle people smugglers|newspaper=BBC News|date=7 March 2016|accessdate=2017-08-15}} A small contingent of Royal Marines was stationed on board the VOS Grace during this period.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} The ships were operating under the command of a German-led NATO force.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/07/uk-military-to-join-nato-refugee-patrols-in-aegean|first=Syal|last=Rajeev|first2=Helena|last2=Smith|newspaper=The Guardian|title=Migration crisis: UK to join Nato refugee patrols in Aegean|date=7 March 2016|accessdate=2017-08-15}} The task force operated between the coast of Turkey and a number of Greek islands including Lesbos. The task force assisted with recovering migrants who were in distress and also with tracking and reporting smugglers' boats to Turkish authorities. During its time in the Aegean Sea, the VOS Grace was reported to have picked up 6,017 migrants attempting to make the journey from Libya.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}
References
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External links
{{commons category-inline|IMO 9680542}}
{{UK Border Force}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:VOS Grace}}