Japanese patrol vessel Mizuho (PLH-41)
The Japanese patrol boat Mizuho is a PLH type patrol vessels of the Japan Coast Guard. She is only ship in her class: the construction of a second ship was planned originally, but has not been achieved as of 2020 due to the start of construction of the Shunkō class and Reimei class.[1]
.jpg.webp) Mizuho at Port of Naha | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mizuho-class patrol vessel |
| Operators |  Japan Coast Guard |
| Preceded by | Mizuho class |
| Succeeded by | Shunkō class |
| Completed | 1 |
| Active | 1 |
| Laid up | 1 |
| History | |
| Name | Mizuho |
| Ordered | 2015 |
| Builder | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shimonoseki Shipyard |
| Launched | November 9, 2018 |
| Commissioned | August 22, 2019 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 6,000 GT |
| Length | 134 m (439 ft 8 in) |
| Beam | 15.8 m (51 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 2 × Bell 412 helicopters |
Design
Essentially, this ship is designed to be an enlarged version of the Kunigami class, with a helicopter deck and hangar as a successor to Mizuho (PLH-21).[2] As well as being a platform for helicopters, she also functions as a depot ship: replenishing fuel, potable water and stores to small patrol crafts and resting their crew. And as a frontline command center, she also has excellent command and control functions.[1][3]
She is armed with one Bofors L/70 40 mm gun (Bofors 40 Mk4) and one JM61-RFS 20 mm gun, each controlled by an electro-optical director.[3] The Sikorsky S-76D helicopters was supposed to be used as the shipboard helicopters,[2] but in actual, the Bell 412 helicopters were transferred directly from the PLH-21.[1][3]
References
- Kaijin-sha 2020, p. 44.
- Kaijin-sha 2018, p. 44.
- Kaijin-sha 2019.
Bibliography
- "ヘリ搭載巡視船「みずほ」：下関で引き渡し式 来月、名古屋海保に配属" (in Japanese). Mainichi shinbun. 23 August 2019.
- Kaijin-sha, ed. (July 2018). "Patrol Vessels - Ships of Japan Coast Guard". Ships of the World (in Japanese). Kaijin-sha (881): 39–90. NAID 40021585370.
- Kaijin-sha, ed. (November 2019). "JCG's New PLH Mizuho PLH-41 Completed". Ships of the World (in Japanese). Kaijin-sha (911): 53–57. NAID 40022027891.
- Kaijin-sha, ed. (October 2020). "Patrol Vessels - Ships of Japan Coast Guard". Ships of the World (in Japanese). Kaijin-sha (933): 39–90. NAID 40022358584.
