| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Belgium | |
| Name | Bellis (M916) |
| Builder | Mercantile-Belyard, Rupelmonde |
| Laid down | 9 February 1984 |
| Launched | 14 February 1986 |
| Christened | 18 September 1986 |
| Commissioned | 13 August 1986 |
| Motto | list error: <br /> list (help) Luctor et emergo (Latin: "I struggle and emerge") |
| Status | in active service, as of 2009[ref] |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type | Tripartite-class minehunter |
| Displacement | 560 t (551 long tons) |
| Length | 51.5 m (169 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 8.96 m (29 ft 5 in) |
| Height | 18.5 m (60 ft 8 in) above waterline |
| Draught | 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion | list error: <br /> list (help) 1 × 1,370 kW (1,837 hp) Werkspoor RUB 215 V12 diesel engine 2 × 180 kW (241 hp) ACEC active rudders 1 × HOLEC bow propeller |
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Range | 3,000 nmi (5,600 km) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Boats & landing craft carried | list error: <br /> list (help) 2 × rigid-hulled inflatable boats 1 × Atlas Elektronik Seafox remote controlled submersible for mine identification and disposal |
| Complement | 4 officers, 15 non-commissioned officers, 17 sailors |
| Sensors and processing systems | list error: <br /> list (help) 1 Thales Underwater Systems TSM 2022 Mk III Hull Mounted Sonar 1 SAAB Bofors Double Eagle Mk III Self Propelled Variable Depth Sonar 1 Consilium Selesmar Type T-250/10CM003 Radar |
| Armament | 3 × FN .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns |
Bellis (M916) is a Tripartite-class minehunter of the Belgian Naval Component, launched on 14 February 1986 at the Mercantile-Belyard shipyard in Rupelmonde and christened by Ellen Goffinet-Rosman, the wife of the then Mayor of Arlon, on 18 September 1986. The patronage of the Bellis was accepted by the city of Arlon. It was the second of the Belgian Tripartite-class minehunters.[2]
Commissioned on 13 August 1986, the ship participated the rescue of the Herald of Free Enterprise in March 1987.[2]
Bellis was attached to NATO's Mine Countermeasure Force (North) (MCMFORNORTH) in 1987, 1990, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2004, and to Mine Countermeasures Force (South) (MCMFORSOUTH) in 1992, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2003.[2]
It is currently (as of 2 September 2009) commanded by Lieutenant First Class Verhaege.[2]
The Bellis paid a courtesy visit to Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, in September 2008.[3]
