The delegate of the Government in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, visited this Friday the oceanic ship Río Miño, in what will be its last mission in the autonomous community before being withdrawn from service and replaced by the new Duque de Ahumada.
During his visit, Gómez de Diego traveled the ship’s facilities and held a meeting with its crew, whom he transferred his recognition for “years of exemplary service in protecting our waters, fighting illegal traffic and helping those who have been in danger at sea.”
Accompanied by Colonel Antonio Orantos and other commanders of the Civil Guard of Cantabria, the delegate highlighted the importance of the River Miño in maritime surveillance and recalled that its work “has made it possible to save lives, guarantee the safety of the fishing fleet, preserve the environment and strengthen control at our maritime borders.”
“The Miño River has been an example of how the Civil Guard, in collaboration with other agencies, works every day to protect our coasts and those who depend on the sea for their livelihood, as well as those who risk their lives in search of hope. On behalf of the Government of Spain and all the citizens of Cantabria, I would like to express my deep appreciation to its crew for their tireless work,” he said.
Along these lines, Gómez de Diego also wanted to highlight the work of the Cantabrian fishing fleet and all those who dedicate their lives to the sea, highlighting their efforts in a profession fundamental to the economy and tradition of the region.
“Cantabria has a long history linked to fishing, men and women who go out to sea every day with effort and courage. The Government of Spain remains committed to the protection of its activity, guaranteeing the sustainability of our resources and the safety of those who work in the sector,” he said.
The crew of the River Miño, composed of 26 people, will continue to serve in the waters of the Cantabrian Sea until April 7, performing surveillance and fishing control tasks. Once this mission is completed, the ship will move to Cadiz, where it will carry out its last operational services before finally being scrapped in Gijón.
History Barco Río Miño
The River Miño, operating since 2007 under the flag of the Civil Guard, has played a key role in maritime surveillance and the protection of human life in the Atlantic, linked especially to the arrival of cayucos to the Canary Islands from Mauritania and Senegal.
In recent years, it has operated in Cantabrian waters within the comprehensive control plan for fishing activities, supervising the coastal mackerel in collaboration with inspectors from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In addition, it has provided assistance in emergency situations and has given security to the fishing fleet in the area.
Built in Japan in 1984 as a deep-sea fishing vessel, the River Miño was acquired by Spain in 2006 and adapted to the operational needs of the Civil Guard in the Armón shipyards. Since then, he has served in different strategic missions, first in the Canary Islands and, since 2010, in the Maritime Group of the Strait based in Cadiz. Its trajectory has been marked by international security cooperation and its ability to operate on the high seas for long periods.
After its withdrawal, it will be replaced by the Duke of Ahumada, a new oceanic ship recently launched in the port of Vigo, in which the Ministry of the Interior has invested 35 million euros. With a greater length and state-of-the-art equipment, this new patrol boat will represent an important reinforcement for the operational capabilities of the Civil Guard in maritime surveillance, fisheries control and the fight against organized crime at sea.