MADRID: The maritime arm of Spain’s Guardia Civil Customs police force stated that the Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Gondán has launched the new ocean-going patrol boat Rio Belelle , the 1st of two being constructed for the Servicio Maritimo,.
The second 20.5 m long aluminium- and plastic-reinforced glass fibre craft is expected to be launched by May, according to the company; final delivery of both is scheduled for mid-2015. The patrol boats were ordered in mid-2014 and were built at the company’s Vegadeo yard in the northern coastal region of Asturias. The vessels have been designed primarily for counter-piracy and counter-smuggling work, but can also be used to monitor marine pollution.