Damen Stan Patrols for Ecuador

Damen’s SPa vessels will be used by the Ecuadorian Coastguard for general patrol duties. Each will have a top speed of 23 knots provided by four fixed-pitch propellers and will have space to accommodate 32 people operating for up to 30 days without external support – something that required a number of design adaptations.

“Our most challenging modification was to change the standard accommodation layout to fit one extra bed in each room without losing comfort,” said Ezequiel Najmias, sales manager, Americas, Damen.

“By increasing the fuel capacity to 90m³, enlarging the storage and freezer rooms and installing a powerful water-maker, both vessels will be able to operate autonomously for 30 days,” he added.

The Ecuadorian shipyard will build the vessels locally with Damen Technical Cooperation (DTC), which is Damen’s method of ‘building on site’. DTC will supply prefabricated kits and will provide on-site technical assistance during the construction and commissioning periods – something Damen says is important due to the complexity of the Stan Patrol 5009.

Astinave has built up considerable experience with Damen designs over the years since its first building contract in 2007 and has worked with Damen to build a number of vessels including tugs, cutter suction dredgers, fast crew suppliers and patrol vessels.

Ecuador’s Coastguard already operates three Damen Spas 2606, with a fourth currently under construction at Astinave’s facilities on the banks of the Guayas River.

By Rachael Doyle