The Shikishima-class patrol vessel (しきしま型巡視船, Shikishima-gata-junnshi-senn) is a class of PLH type patrol vessels of the Japan Coast Guard
Description[]
Shikishima is the only JCG vessel equipped with anti-air radar and Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannons to enhance anti-air capability whereas ordinary patrol vessels have only surface-search and navigation radars and a single-mounted 35 mm or 40 mm autocanon. The OPS-14 2D air search radar is the Japanese counterpart of the American AN/SPS-49. And as a secondary weapon, two JM61 20 mm gun systems were set up. This system adopts the same rotary cannon as the conventional JM61-M, but it is remotely controlled with an optical director as opposed to JM61-M being manually trained and elevated. It derived from one of the PG-821-class guided-missile patrol boats of the JMSDF, and later, added as a standard equipment of the JCG as the JM61-RFS.
Specification[]
- Type: PLH (Patrol vessel Large with Helicopter)
- Displacement: 6,500 tonnes (9,300 tonnes full load)
- Length: 150.0 m (492 ft 2 in)
- Beam: 16.5 m (54 ft 2 in)
- Draft: 9.0 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Propulsion:
- 2 × shafts
- 4 × IHI-SEMT Pielstick 16 PC2.5 V400 diesel engines
- Speed: 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
- Range: 20,000 nmi (37,000 km; 23,000 mi)
- Sensors and processing systems:
- OPS-14 2D Air search
- MS 1596 navigation radar
- JMA 8303 surface search radar
- Armament:
- 2 × Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon
- 2 × JM61 20 mm gun
- Aircraft carried: 2 × Eurocopter AS332
Ships of the line[]
| Pennant no. | Name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Homeport | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLH 31 | Shikishima (Lead Ship of the class) | August 24, 1990 | June 27, 1991 | April 8, 1992 | Yokohama | Destroyed |
| PLH 32 | Akitsushima | May 10, 2011 | July 4, 2012 | November 28, 2013 | Yokohama | In service |
Service History[]
PLH 31 Shikishima[]
The ship first appeared in Light Novel Vol. 2, after the end of the Rodenius War, it was deployed at a base at Qua-Toyne along with many other patrol boats for anti-pirate operations in the waters of the North, West and South of the Rodenius Continent. It was this ship that rescued Lumies and her entourage when their boat was attacked by Lourian pirates.
She later served as an escort of the Japanese delegates during the Eleven Advanced Nations Conference. At first, Japan planned to bring a guided-missile destroyer in the conference, but they refused and said that they don't want to hurt the Holy Mirishial Empire's pride in providing security. But they regretted this action later when they learned that the participating countries practices Gunboat Diplomacy, citing the lack of common sense of Japan in New World brutal and warlike politics.
When Gra Valkas Empire declared war to all countries in the New World, the Shikishima crew (led by Capt. Mamoru Seto) fought in the Battle of Folk Strait. She is the only ship that managed to shot down all GVE planes, but Shikishima got destroyed by Grade Atlastar and the surviving crew was captured. Although the Japanese side tried to convince Shikishima that it was just a law enforcement ship, the Gra Valkan side refused to release the crew due to the conviction of the ship's superior air defenses and assumed that the Japanese were deceiving them. The Shikishima crew later got executed upon orders from Gesta.
Because of the general ignorance of Japan true military capability of almost all countries in New World, the Shikishima was mistaken as warship. Consequently, this caused Gra Valkas to make a fatal mistake in underestimating Japan, causing them to suffer dearly later on.
PLH 32 Akitsushima[]
The ship first appeared in the manga Chapter 27. It was deployed to carry the JMFA diplomats Misono and Saeki on their journey to the country of Mu, located at the Second Civilization Area
Trivia[]
- The ship was the first Japanese ship lost in the New World, with its crew being the first non-civilian casualties.