The Colombian Ocean Patrol Ship marks Colombia's technological independence within the shipbuilding industry worldwide.
The Hospital Ship becomes the first ship of this type designed and built in the country and will benefit more than 100 thousand inhabitants of the Pacific region.
The ceremony was held at the Cotecmar factory within the framework of the two-hundredth anniversary of the Colombian Navy and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Corporation.
With the activity by the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro Urrego, accompanied by the Minister of Defense Pedro S谩nchez Su谩rez; the general commander of the Military Forces, and the military commanders, the launching ceremony of the Colombian Ocean Patrol Ship ARC 24 de Julio, the Hospital Ship Benkos Bioh贸, the Island Boat ARC Isla San Andr茅s and the distribution of four Low Draft River Operation Boats were held.
These projects of high strategic and social impact for the country were designed and built by the Science and Technology Corporation for the Naval, Maritime and River Industry (COTECMAR), reflecting the resources of the national industry and the talent of the more than 1,300 men and women who serve the Corporation.
In the specific case of the Oceanic Patrol Boat, it is a project that marks the technological independence of the country within the shipbuilding industry worldwide. With a length of 93 m, a beam of 14 m and a draft of 3.9 m, it will be the largest ship built in the country for the Colombian Navy, which will led it to carry out a wide range of activities focused on comprehensive maritime security, patrolling, surveillance, maritime interception, protection of human life at sea, among others. Through this project, Colombia becomes a leader in the region with the resources to design and build ships with high technological development and large dimensions.
For its part, the Hospital Ship- is the first Primary Health Care Center that Colombia will have, and is part of the dual technology use projects carried outed by COTECMAR and will impact more than 100 thousand inhabitants of the Colombian Pacific platform. On a technical level, this ship of 39 m in length and 9.5 m in beam, it will have the capacity for helicopter take-off and take-off, and suitable medical spaces for surgery, specialized outpatient clinic, clinical laboratory, internal medicine, gynecology, diagnostic imaging, telemedicine and general consultation.
In addition, the launching of the ARC Island Boat Isla San Andr茅s built by Cotecmar for the General Maritime Directorates was in the same way held at this ceremony in order to strengthen Navy research operations, bathymetric settlements, coastal zone inspections and control of nautical activities. This ship will operate in the archipelago of San Andr茅s and Providencia.
In the same way, 4 Low-draft River Operation Boats were distributed, out of the 26 in total contracted by the Colombian Navy. These boats have been designed with the ability to access difficult-to-access river areas, in operations led by the Navy Infantry.
Through these milestones, COTECMAR reaffirms its commitment to technological sovereignty, naval innovation and the construction of a country of the sea, contributing to defense, social development and the generation of quality employment for Colombians.
Source: Press - Cotecmar
