Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, presided over the supply of the Guardia Civil’s new ocean-going patrol vessel Duque de Ahumada this Thursday in Vigo. The ship represents a €35 million funding, 90% of which was financed by the European Union.
The vessel will likely be based mostly in Cádiz with the Maritime Group of the Strait and can perform missions akin to stopping cross-border crime, making certain maritime safety, and preventing irregular migration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
Grande-Marlaska burdened that the ship embodies the significance of European cooperation: “It strengthens cohesion and, on this case, the safety of our borders, that are additionally Europe’s exterior borders.”
The Duque de Ahumada replaces the retired Río Miño and can function each in Spanish waters and overseas as a part of Frontex missions for 4 months annually.
Key options of the vessel:
- Built at Armón shipyards in Vigo
- 5 decks, helipad, two speedy intervention boats, and a remotely operated underwater car (ROV) able to reaching 1,000m depth
- State-of-the-art navigation and communications techniques
- Hospital amenities, safety areas, and house for no less than 100 shipwreck survivors
- Autonomy of 11,000 nautical miles, 30 days at sea with out port, velocity as much as 18 knots
- Accommodation for 44 crew plus 12 extra personnel
The Interior Ministry highlighted that the Guardia Civil has additionally secured €20 million in EU funds (75% financed by the European Commission) to take care of the SIVE maritime surveillance system from 2023 to 2025.
The Guardia Civil’s Maritime Service now operates virtually 150 naval models, with deployments not solely alongside Spain’s coast but additionally in West Africa, together with Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia.
