Among the most important features of their design are their speed, agility, bollard pull and the ability to give assistance to vessels in difficulty and where possible prevent the spread of pollution from oil and other contaminants.

Designed in Spain, the tugs are 56m long with a beam of 15m and powered by two MAK main engines developing 3,840kW each (total 10,434bhp) and driving a pair of fully azimuthing Schottel propulsion units with controllable pitch propellers. This propulsion system, used in conjunction with a powerful transverse bow thruster, gives the vessels a very high degree of maneuverability at any speed. A Dynapos AM-R dynamic positioning system is also installed to enable precise station keeping during rescue and salvage operations. The tugs have a bollard pull of 128 tons (at 100% power), a maximum speed of 16.4 knots and range of 5,230 miles.

In addition to a comprehensive outfit of towing, salvage and firefighting equipment, the tugs are equipped to respond to incidents where it is necessary to contain and recover oil and oil residue. Floating containment booms can be deployed, along with 'skimmers' and pumping equipment. Dedicated tanks within the hull enable 287m 3ofrecovered oil to be taken onboard.

Luz de Mar and sister-ship Miguel de Cervantes may also be used to support diving operations, anchor handling and buoy maintenance work.

SASEMAR has also ordered two larger and technically advanced emergency response vessels from Astilleros Zamakona in northern Spain. The 80m long ships, to be built to a Rolls-Royce Marine UT UT 722L design, will incorporate a full package of the company's propulsion and deck machinery and are scheduled for completion in May and November of this year.

Two primary roles have been identified for the new SASEMAR vessels, towing and pollution control. They will have a bollard pull of more than 220 tons, sufficient towing force to prevent a stricken vessel drifting ashore and should an oil spill occur, they will have the ability to retrieve floating oil and transfer it to tanks on board.

Other capabilities include rescue, fire fighting, salvage and diving support.