The government delegate in Cantabria, Pedro Casares, highlighted the increase in the capabilities of the Civil Guard with the incorporation of the new oceanic ship ‘Duque de Ahumada’ to whose construction the Government of Spain, through the Ministry of the Interior, has allocated 35 million euros.
“This is a millionaire investment that demonstrates, once again, the commitment of this Government to strengthen our Security Forces and Bodies,” Casares praised after the visit to this oceanic ship that was delivered to the body last Thursday in Vigo, in an act led by Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and that is carrying out its first scale in Santander.
The ship attached to the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard arrived this Sunday afternoon at the Port of Santander and, during the day of this Tuesday, citizens can visit it from 11.00 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 19.00 hours, next to the Maritime Station.
Casares stressed that the incorporation of this oceanic ship into the Civil Guard fleet is “an important historical milestone” and “demonstrates the continuous and constant commitment of this Government and the Civil Guard to improve our endowments”.
He has indicated that it is the “most modern” ship of the Civil Guard and the “largest”, with 82.15 meters of length, 14 of sleeve and 4.7 of draft.
Built in the shipyards of Armón in Vigo and delivered less than a week ago to the Civil Guard, it has involved an investment of 35 million euros, financed by 90% with European funds.
The government delegate has detailed the “extraordinary endowments” of this “immense” ship, which will have an ordinary crew of 28 people.
Thus, it has indicated that it has a heliport, five decks, an ROV (remotely operated submersible vehicle) for underwater inspection and search, aerial surveillance drones and two rigid boats for interception and rescue.
In addition, it has 35 cabins with capacity for 56 crew members, gym, shipwreck room for more than 100 people --equipped with separate space for women and children-- and a morgue, cell room, different operating and meeting rooms, kitchen and dining room and infirmary and hospital space with the possibility of direct transmission of telemedicine with Madrid.
In this way, the ship is prepared to stay at sea for up to 30 days without having to enter the port, with an autonomy of 11,000 miles (20,400 kilometers. ), which extends the radius and duration of missions. The equipment includes state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems.
The main missions assigned to this ship, within the Group Unit
Maritime of the Strait based in Cadiz, will be the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, irregular immigration, the functions of Judicial and Governmental Police, the inspection of fishing and recreational vessels and boats, the fight against marine pollution and against marine archaeological despoliation, as well as control and rescue operations on the high seas.
The ship has received the name of ‘Duque de Ahumada’ in reference and commemoration of the creator and first director general of the Civil Guard, founded on March 18, 1844, the aristocrat, noble and military Navarre Francisco Javier Girón and Ezpeleta de las Casas y Enrile (1803-1869), II Duque de Ahumada and V Marqués de las Amarillas.
The government delegate in Cantabria visited the boat together with the head of the Civil Guard in Cantabria, Lieutenant Colonel Julio Postigo, and the head of the Maritime Group of the Strait, Lieutenant Eduardo Lobo, and accompanied by other regional authorities.