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The HNLMS 'Friesland' has intercepted another drug shipment in the Caribbean on the evening of Aug 18. This time, it involved 318 kilos of cocaine, being already the eighth time the ship has intercepted a drug shipment. The crew had spotted a suspicious süeedboat in the Caribbean Sea, a type which is often used for drug smuggling. Both interceptor boats (Friscs) from the HNLMS Friesland were deployed to approach the boat. A chase ensued, during which the smugglers threw packages overboard. The pursuit was abandoned, and the Frisc crew was subsequently able to recover 318 kilos of cocaine. As usual, the drugs have been transferred to the US Coast Guard for destruction. The HNLMS 'Friesland' has been active in the region since May, working alternately with the Caribbean Coast Guard and the US Coast Guard.

The HNLMS 'Friesland' managed to seize a large drug shipment in the Caribbean Sea during two interceptions on June 25 and on July 3. The total haul from the three seizures was 4,200 kilos. The US Coast Guard and a maritime patrol aircraft from the Caribbean Coast Guard had discovered the smuggling boats. The fregate immediately took action and dispatched the fast interceptor boats, as well as a US Coast Guard helicopter, which forced the smugglers to stop. The three speed boats had a shipment of narcotics on board, weighing 700, 1,000, and 2,500 kilos respectively. The drugs have been handed over to the US Coast Guard. The HNLMS 'Friesland' has been operating as a station ship in the Caribbean since the end of May. Since then, the fregate has intercepted nearly 7,800 kilos of contraband. Report with photos: https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/07/16/zr.ms.-friesland-stuit-op-4.200-kilo-drugs-in-caribische-zee

The Zr.Ms. 'Friesland', which is currently deployed for coast guard duties in the Caribbean, intercepted a drug transport south of Curaçao in the morning of Feb 20, 2022. After the fast smuggling boat was discovered, a chase ensued. Warning shots were fired by the naval vessel. The smugglers threw their packages overboard and managed to escape. The drugs have been fished out of the sea. 224 kilograms of cocaine were seized.

Apr 27 2012 - A volunteer lifeboat spent 10 hours at sea and travelled 100 miles to rescue a training yacht with 16 people on board, the RNLI has said. The Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsey lifeboat from Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull, launched at 10am on Thursday to aid the 70ft training vessel which was struggling in rough seas off the Isle of Iona. The RNLI said the propeller and rudder of the yacht had become stuck in lobster creel ropes. When the lifeboat arrived at the scene the Royal Netherlands Navy warship FRIESLAND was already assisting the training vessel. The Tobermory lifeboat managed to pass a tow to the yacht bringing it into the wind and enabling it to be cut free from the creel ropes. RNLI also thanked the crew of the Dutch warship Friesland for their assistance in the rescue.

The Royal Netherlands Navy's third oceangoing patrol vessel (OPV) has begun sea acceptance trials in the Black Sea, Brahmand.com reports. The ship, FRIESLAND, built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, left the company's shipyard at Galati, Romania on September 27 to enter the sea. During the 10-day extensive sea trials, which would be conducted by staff of Damen Shipyards Galati and Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding Vlissingen in the presence of Defence Material Organisation and the Netherlands Navy Command, the OPV will be subjected to extensive testing, the shipbuilder said. The FRIESLAND is the third ship in the Holland class of four OPVs being built for the Royal Netherlands Navy. The 108-meter long, flexibly deployable patrol ships, with a crew of 50, are designed to conduct multiple missions, including anti-piracy missions, counter-drug operations and coastal guard tasks in The Netherlands as well as the Caribbean. The FRIESLAND will be handed over to the Defence Material Organisation in February of 2012, the shipyard said. Source: http://brahmand.com/news/Netherlands-Navys-third-OPV-begins-sea-trial/8177/3/13.html