A ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force patrol boat caught fire on Friday while undergoing a refit in Freeport.

The aft (rear) section of HMBS Bahamas, one of two 60-metre Defence Force patrol craft, caught fire shortly after noon.

The incident took place at Bradford Marine Shipyard in Freeport, where HMBS Bahamas is currently undergoing a major refit by Damen Shipyard Company.

No injuries were reported and an assessment will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire and extent of the damages it sustained.

The Bahama Class vessel was built by Moss Point Marine in Mississippi and has been instrumental in anti-poaching, anti-narcotics, illegal migration and deterrence patrols within the waters of the Bahamas.