Spain orders four new patrol boats for its paramilitary police

Spain's paramilitary police force, the Guardia Civil, has ordered four new ocean-going patrol boats for its marine division, the Servicio Marítimo (SEMAR), for a total of EUR10.8 million (USD12.5 million).

The two contracts have gone to yards in the Ria de Vigo estuary in the northwestern region of Galicia – Rodman Polyships and Aister Aluminium Shipyard.

The two larger vessels, measuring up to 22 m will be built by Rodman for EUR6.2 million of the total. They will have aluminium hulls and polyester reinforced glass fibre superstructure and will each be powered by two 1,400 CV motors.

The boats are slated to be used to combat illegal immigration and drug smuggling, protect the environment, and conduct general patrol operations.

The boats will be able to operate for up to five days with a crew of five.

The two high-speed vessels of up to 18.5 m long will be built by Aister to boost SEMAR's fast response in controlling drug smuggling and organised crime. The boats will be used for missions of up to 12 hours, carry a standard crew of four, and be capable of reaching 55 kt in seas with waves reaching a height of up to 0.5 m.

Built of an aluminium alloy, the boats will be fitted with two diesel engines of at least 1,800 CV each.