The Spanish Navy is set to welcome an imminent boost to its undersea protection capabilities with the arrival of a new diver support ship.
The A22 Proserpina has just been launched by Freire Shipyard at its base in Vigo in northern Spain. The 33m vessel, due to be delivered to the Spanish Navy’s Logistics Support Command later this year, will specialise in “underwater intervention operations” according to a Spanish Navy press statement.
She will carry a range of sensors and specialised equipment including hyperbaric chambers, side-scan sonar (SBL), a modular autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of operating at depths of up to 300m, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) which can reach depths of 900 meters.
Proserpina will have a crew of 15 and a range of 500 nautical miles; she will come with a Dynamic Positioning System and a triple-anchor set-up meaning she can remain stationary in position at sea depths of up to 90 metres.
At Monday’s launch ceremony, Chief of Staff of the Navy Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro said: “We live in an environment where maritime security is increasingly complex. Threats are not only on the surface, but also underwater.
“Essential infrastructure runs along the seabed: cables carrying our internet, gas pipelines, facilities, etc. Protecting them requires preparation, resources, and highly qualified professionals. That is where our divers operate, and that is where the ‘Proserpina’ becomes an essential component.”
The ship’s main mission will be to support the Armada‘s Military Diving School (EMB), specializing in complex underwater operations including structural inspections and the maintenance of naval infrastructure.
- You can read more details on the Spanish Navy website