The Ecuadorian Coastguard is to boost its fleet of Damen patrol craft to six with a new order for two 50m SPa 5009 vessels for general patrol duties. The vessels are to be built locally at Astilleros Navales Ecuatorianos (Astinave), with Damen supplying prefabricated kits. Ecuador’s Coastguard already operates three Damen SPa 2606 vessels, with a fourth currently under construction at Astinave’s facilities on the banks of the Guayas River.
The Ecuadorian SPa 5009s have been modified from the standard design to accommodate 32 crew and to operate independently and unsupported for up to 30 days. Along with the addition of extra bunks, the design changes include an increase in fuel capacity, the enlargement of storage and freezer rooms and the installation of a powerful fresh water maker.
The Stan Patrol design features a single so-called ‘Axe Bow’, which is a very deep and high straight bow that has been developed to cut through waves and which is claimed to deliver high speeds with a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption.
