Cotecmar completes first phase of sea trials of new oceanographic vessel for Colombia

The shipyard Corporación de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo de la Industria Naval y Marítima Colombiana (Cotecmar) has completed the port and sea trials of the new scientific research vessel Simón Bolívar of the Colombian Navy (ARC).

The tests, which involved 130 engineers, took place in October this year.

At the beginning of the month, the port tests (HAT) were carried out, during which the proper functioning of the systems was verified.

During the second and third weeks, the sea tests (SAT) were carried out, during which the functioning of the vessel (radar, rudder, electronic chart, autopilot, echo sounder, engines, propulsion, stability) was verified in the waters of the Bay of Cartagena de Indias, according to the schedule provided by the shipyard.

SECOND PHASE

The second phase of the assessment is expected to take place next November. It will focus on the low-noise hull, the verification of the USBL systems, and the underwater acoustic detection system, among others.

The Simón Bolívar (151) was launched on July 23 and was visited and inspected on August 31 by President Gustavo Petro, who highlighted it as an achievement of the Colombian naval industry.

This 3,600-ton vessel is the result of a strategic alliance signed in 2019, under which Cotecmar selected the Dutch company Damen’s OSRV 8316 model to adapt it to the operational needs of the Colombian Maritime Directorate (Dimar), which will use it in particular to the development of the second phase of the Colombian Antarctic program and the wreck of the ship San José.

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