Destined for EEZ Protection Around Galapagos

The South Korean government has donated two HAEURI-class patrol boats to the Ecuadorian Navy’s Coast Guard Command.

The two patrol boats – to be named ISLA FLOREANA and ISLA DARWIN – arrived in Guayaquil on 11 December 2020. Their principal function will be reinforcement of EEZ surveillance around the Galapagos Islands, reportedly threatened by large numbers of Chinese fishing vessels. They will also be deployed on counter-narcotics and organised crime missions, search and rescue and humanitarian relief, all encompassed within the nation’s ‘Security Triangle 2020’ strategy.

Originally commissioned in Korea in 1990 and 1991, the two 53.7m boats displace approx. 460t at full load and feature two MTU 16V396 diesel engines generating a combined 4,392hp and providing a top speed of 19 knots.

Santiago Rivas and Florencia Lucero Heguy in Buenos Aires for MON