Dominican Navy Bolsters Maritime Defense with Second Metal Shark Patrol Vessel
The Dominican Republic Navy adds the high-speed ARCTURUS CG-114 to its fleet—an advanced 85-foot coastal patrol vessel built by Metal Shark in Louisiana.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — The Dominican Republic Navy has commissioned a second state-of-the-art Near Coastal Patrol Vessel (NCPV) to enhance its maritime surveillance, border security, and counter-trafficking operations. The ARCTURUS CG-114, an 85-foot welded aluminum patrol craft designed and built by Metal Shark in Jeanerette, Louisiana, joins its sister ship in securing the island nation’s vital coastal waters.
In keeping with tradition, the vessel is named after a prominent celestial body—Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky—symbolizing strength and guidance. The Dominican military regularly assigns astronomical names to its vessels, highlighting their navigational legacy.
Engineered for agility and endurance, ARCTURUS CG-114 is powered by twin 1,600-horsepower Caterpillar C-32 marine diesel engines, paired with Twin Disc MGX-6599 transmissions and Michigan Wheel fixed-pitch propellers. With this setup, the patrol vessel can reach speeds exceeding 25 knots, providing rapid response capabilities in regional waters.
Designed for missions of up to six days at sea, the vessel supports a crew of ten and features a 5.6-meter aluminum RIB (rigid inflatable boat) built by Metal Shark. This smaller, fast-response craft is powered by twin 50-horsepower Mercury four-stroke outboards and deploys quickly via a stern slipway, ideal for boarding operations or shallow-water access.
“Metal Shark is honored to deliver the second Near Coastal Patrol Vessel to the Dominican Republic,” said Henry Irizarry, Senior Vice President of International Business Development. “This delivery represents a strategic milestone in strengthening the Dominican Navy’s ability to protect its maritime domain, counter illicit trafficking, and ensure regional security.”
The new vessel marks another step in the ongoing maritime collaboration between the United States and the Dominican Republic, reinforcing shared defense priorities and regional stability in the Caribbean Basin.
For more about Metal Shark’s fleet and global defense initiatives, visit www.metalsharkboats.com
Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.
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