HAEURI-class Patrol Boats to be Deployed Around Galapagos

The South Korean government will donate two decommissioned HAEURI-class to Ecuador. The two vessels (pennant numbers 302 and 303), are being repaired in Korea before the transfer. The Korean Coast Guard (KCG) will deliver the two vessels in May, to be employed around the Galapagos Islands.

The HAEURI is a medium-sized patrol vessel in service with the KCG, which forms part of the Navy. They have a length of 53.7m, a beam of 7.4m and a draft of 2.5m. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, they entered service in December 1990 and December 1991, respectively, and were decommissioned in October 2019 and January 2020. Both patrol boats ended their service with the Jeju command of the KCG.

It should be noted that Ecuador has problems protecting its waters against foreign fishing vessels, most of which originate from China.

Santiago Rivas/Florencia Lucero Heguy for MON