PIRIOU Naval Services (PNS), PIRIOU's repair arm in Concarneau, has purchased the P400 Patrol Boat “La Tapageuse” from the French Navy.

After 25 years of service and having carried out more than 140 exclusive economic area protection or public service missions, “La Tapageuse” left the port of Brest for Concarneau on Saturday 30 November.
 
The ship will undergo a complete technical renovation (engine replacement, hull and deck equipment overhaul, retrofit of equipment and installations) before being sold on to a foreign Navy wishing to take advantage of a ship that is rapidly operational and inexpensive.

Pascal PIRIOU, CEO of PIRIOU Group, said: “The purchase of "La Tapageuse", with a view to renovating and then selling it, is part of our sales strategy in the State Action at sea market. Our positioning is clearly that of finding original solutions. To this effect, we hope it will help open the door to foreign navies who are looking for rapid, economical solutions enabling them to acquire high performance ships and naval equipment.”

Reliable, robust ship, capable of maintaining a high speed in rough seas and with a high endurance time, la Tapageuse has a large transport capacity with a 20 passenger mess and two cargo holds totaling 35 m3. Its vast after deck enables helihoisting or the loading of deck equipment and it is fitted out so as to enable it carry out its missions.

Its main characteristics include:

•    Length overall 54,80 m
•    Beam 8,00 m
•    Maximum draught. 2,54 m
•    Maximum speed 23 knots
•    Crew 30 p.
•    Passenger capacity 20 p.
•    Freight capacity 35 m3
•    Range 21 days

PIRIOU is the second largest French company, in the shipbuilding, repair and naval engineering field. PIRIOU has a presence in Europe, Africa and Asia.

PIRIOU has been carrying out the In-Service Support (ISS) of the fleet of 10 French Navy training ships since 2010. It also joined forces with DCNS in the spring of 2013 to create KERSHIP with the aim of becoming a major player in the market of medium-sized lightly armed ships built to civil standards.
 
PIRIOU had a total turnover of €122 million in 2012 and has delivered almost 400 vessels since 1965.