Radio Callsign: Oscar-Romeo-India-Hotel
The National Training Ship V902 'Libération', the Flagship of the Royal Sea Cadet Corps
Since 2012, the Royal Sea Cadet Corps has been the proud owner of the patrol vessel 'Libération', following a long and distinguished career as a Rhine patrol boat with the Belgian Naval Force (now the Navy). The vessel has been recognized as protected maritime heritage and underwent a complete restoration several years ago. The 'Libération serves as a national training ship and is home-ported in Leopoldsburg.
The Rhine Patrol Boats
In the 1950s, the Belgian Army deployed a number of fast river patrol boats to monitor the Rhine. This was the period shortly after the Second World War, during which the Allied nations maintained oversight of post-war Germany while also establishing a buffer against the new threat posed by the Communist bloc along its eastern border. It marked the beginning of a long-term presence of the Belgian Army in West Germany and the deployment of the Belgian Naval Force to monitor German inland waterways.
The ‘patrol boats’ ('vedettes') of this class were, due to their shallow draft, eminently suited for this mission. The Belgian Maritime Rhine Squadron was established in 1953 in Niehl, near Cologne. The base was equipped with a small floating dry dock, enabling it to perform maintenance autonomously. The vessels patrolled the Rhine between Koblenz and the Dutch border, covering a zone approximately 250 kilometers in length.
In 1953, six identical vessels were built and named after Belgian rivers: P900 'IJZER', P901 'LEIE', P903 'MEUSE', P904 'SAMBRE', P905 'SCHELDE', and P906 'SEMOIS'. A year later, three more units followed, differing slightly in their superstructure: P907 'RUPEL', P908 'OURTHE', and 'DENDER' (without a hull number). The tenth vessel was slightly larger and was designated to serve as the squadron's command ship: P902 'LIBERATION'.
The Rhine Squadron was disbanded in 1960, and from 1963 onwards, the Rhine patrol boats found a new home at the naval base in Kallo. From that point on, the vessels were deployed for public relations duties, hydrographic surveys, and research. Their numbers were also gradually reduced. The sole surviving vessel, the P902 'Libération', relocated to Zeebrugge in 1989 and remained the property of the Belgian Naval Force. The ship served as a ceremonial vessel until 2010. In 2012, the Royal Marine Cadet Corps was able to acquire the 'Libération', and the vessel was subsequently recognized as protected maritime heritage. The ship was renamed V902 'Libération', the 'V' standing for 'vedette' (patrol boat).
The Design Concept
To effectively carry out their mission, the Rhine patrol boats ('Rijnvedetten') needed to be capable of achieving high speeds and navigating shallow waters in order to reach the riverbanks. This necessitated a rather long and narrow hull design featuring a fluid line plan, intended to optimize the dissipation of the stern wave at maximum speed. The riveted hull plates were fully faired to ensure a smooth hull surface, thereby guaranteeing the required speed.
Also noteworthy is the use of aluminum for the deck and superstructure, intended to keep the vessel's weight as low as possible. Since aluminum welding techniques were not yet fully perfected at the time, the entire structure was also riveted. The deck of the 'Libération' features no sheer; instead, it extends from the bow to the stern in a gently curving line. The upper deck is equipped with a second helm station, from which all ship maneuvers can also be executed.
The vessels' interior layout was initially designed to accommodate a crew of seven: one non-commissioned officer serving as helmsman/skipper, one radio operator, three deckhands, and two marine engineers. Efficiency was the central principle guiding the interior design. The midsection of the ship is occupied by the engine room, immediately aft of which lies the wheelhouse. The forepeak housed a very sparsely furnished crew quarters, featuring a small seating area and four bunks. Since watches were stood continuously, simultaneous sleeping for the entire crew was not a requirement. Situated between the engine room and the aft deck were a small galley area, a toilet compartment, and the non-commissioned officer's cabin. The entire interior was finished in a simple, functional style.
Propulsion
All the 'Rijnvedetten' (Rhine Patrol Boats) were powered by two MWM (Motorenwerke Mannheim) diesel engines, each rated at 220 hp. Each engine drove its own propeller; this configuration ensured enhanced operational reliability. In 2007, the 'Libération''s original engines were replaced by more fuel-efficient John Deere engines (2 x 305 hp). The original Reintjes reverse reduction gears were also replaced with units from Twin Disc. The control systems for both the reverse gears and the engine speed are now electromechanical. The Rhine Patrol Boats and the Cadet Corps
The Royal Navy Cadet Corps boasts a long-standing tradition involving patrol vessels. The 'Ourthe' and the 'Rupel' were deployed in Liège and Brussels, respectively, until 1983. The 'Sambre' served in Brussels from 1985 until the vessel was decommissioned in 2021. And since 2010, the 'Leie' has been utilized as a training vessel by the Leuven division. The 'Libération' is managed by the Leopoldsburg division and maintains a prominent presence on Belgium’s waterways as a former military vessel. In addition to its educational role for young people, the training vessel also serves a public function, participating in various events such as 'Oostende voor Anker'.
A Mission for the Belgian Navy
In September 2021, the new ensign for the Navy’s auxiliary vessels flew from the mast of the 'Libération' for the very first time. The vessel set course for Marchienne-au-Pont to attend the annual "Pardon Batellerie-Plaisance-Marine" event, held in collaboration with the Belgian Navy. Since none of the current naval vessels could reach that location—due to the limited clearance beneath the fixed bridges leading toward Charleroi—the Navy Command conceived the idea of deploying the 'Libération' as an auxiliary naval vessel. Thus, for the first time, a ship not owned by the Belgian State was authorized to fly the ensign of the Navy’s auxiliary fleet. In the context of future recruitment campaigns for the Belgian Armed Forces, the 'V902-Libération' will continue to be called upon for service. This truly makes this Rhine patrol boat a genuine "star"!
SPECIFICATIONS
Name: Libération
Hull Number: P902 (until 29 October 2012) and subsequently V902
Vessel Type: Patrol vessel – river fast boat
Keel Laid: 12 March 1954
Launched: 29 July 1954
Commissioned: 24 August 1954
Shipyard: Theodor Hitzler, Regensburg (Germany)
Dimensions: Length 25.62m; Beam 4.28m; Draft 0.9m
Displacement: 27.5 tons
Engines: 2 x 305 hp John Deere
Speed: 19 knots
Propulsion: 2 propellers
Range: 1,900 km at 10 km/h
Fuel: 1.5 tons of diesel
Armament: 2 machine guns (.50 caliber): one on the foredeck and one on the upper deck; the armament was removed after the 'Libération' was taken out of military service; a replica of the foredeck armament is still used during events
Crew: 7
Hull: Riveted steel
Superstructure: Riveted aluminum
Owner: 4 August 1954 – 29 October 2012: Belgian Naval Force
29 Ocotber 2012 – Present: Royal Marine Cadet Corps Belgium (non-profit organization)
Home Port: Leopoldsburg Harbor
