NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Petrel1988

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
WSES1	Dorado		Bell Halter, New Orleans			6.1981	to Navy as auxiliary 9.1982
WSES2	Seahawk		Bell Halter, New Orleans			11.1982	stricken 1.1994
WSES3	Shearwater		Bell Halter, New Orleans			11.1982	stricken 1.1994
WSES4	Petrel		Bell Halter, New Orleans			7.1983	stricken 1.1994

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement full, t	145
Length, m	33.5
Breadth, m	8.80
Draught, m	2.39 (rest) 1.37 (on cushion)
No of shafts	2 shafts + 2 double-inlet centrifugal lift fans
Machinery	2 General Motors 16V149TI diesels + 2 General Motors diesels
Power, h. p.	3600 + 736
Max speed, kts	33
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	1500(23)
Armament	2 x 1 - 12.7/90, 2 x 1 - 7.6/90
Electronic equipment	2x Decca 914 radars
Complement	19

Graphics

Project history

Dorado was surface effect ship constructed in the late 1970s, which in 1981 after extensive testing by the Navy was transferred to the USCG. Later three modified units were built. Design included welded aluminiun alloy hull with a catamaran configuration that consisted of two side hulls with a connecting deck. The bow and stern had flexible seals to contain air cushion. Craft was supported by cushion lift as well as hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loft on the sidewalls.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.