Equipped With Two Bridges
Operating a ship obviously requires specialized knowledge and skills, thereby making most navies and similar organizations to build training vessels.
This is true for the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) as well, which is responsible for policing a vast area using its fleet of 146 patrol ships.
To ensure smoother and more efficient training of its cadets, JCG operates the newly built “Itsukushima” – A large patrol ship that has assumed the role as the fifth training vessel in JCG history.
- General Overview
| Displacement | 5,500 tons |
| Length | 134m (440ft) |
| Beam | 16.3m (53.4ft) |
| Crew | Over 100 cadets |
| Speed | 20knots (37km/h or 23mph) |
| Armament | 20mm cannon×1 12.7mm machine gun×1 Rescue Boat×2 Patrol Boat×4 |
| Unit Price | 100 million USD |
Commissioned in 2024, the Itsukushima is significantly larger than its predecessor, Kojima, weighing 2,000 tons more.
The growing Chinese presence near Japanese waters has forced JCG to respond by expanding its own fleet, which in return has led to the need to train more sailors. To accommodate the increasing enrollment at the coast guard’s academy, the new training vessel was created, expanding the ship’s capacity from 60 to 100 trainees.
Notably, Itsukushima is JCG’s first vessel equipped with two separate bridges for navigation and training, both of which can independently operate the ship, enabling simultaneous training sessions.
The ship also includes dedicated training areas related to each field, allowing for more on-the-spot education and real-time response.
In addition to this education-focused design, Itsukushima offers more spacious living quarters, somewhat alleviating the stress during voyages which may last over three months.
A multipurpose hall for large-size classes has also been installed, which can be used for recreation events and reception parties.
While it can serve as a patrol vessel, the rear deck is not designed to accommodate helicopters, a drawback compared to previous training ship.
However, it does have small patrol boats on board that are used for rescue and boarding operations as well as training.
Overall, Itsukushima provides a better training environment, playing a crucial role in JCG’s education amidst its sailor shortage.
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