"RAMON MARGALEF": EL HIERRO ISLAND

The latest generation oceanographic research vessel, "Ramón Margalef", built by Armon Shipyards, for the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), will assist in its first mission to the evaluation of the seismic crisis of the island of El Hierro (Canary Islands).

 The "Ramon Margalef", equipped with an unmanned underwater vehicle "Liropus 2000", will record the seabed up to 2000 m depth to observe the underwater eruption of El Hierro. The probe of the "Ramon Margalef" performs a three-dimensional topography of the seabed allowing water to assess the differential to see if there are gas vents from the seafloor. All this with the mission for the study of a phenomenon unknown and unpredictable and subject to scientific evaluation will allow taking all  necessary protection measures.

This vessel built by Armon, the most modern of the 22 units of this kind in the world, is one of the most important floating laboratories in Europe and for its advanced technology, will be crucial in assessing the crisis in El Hierro, according to the IEO team leader, Jose Ignacio Diaz.

The high functionality of this vessel will allow to arriving in a few days from Vigo to the crisis area . With its 12 crew members and 11 researchers appointed by the Ministry of Science, the "Ramon Margalef" will join to the other vessels that were moved to the area, to monitor the seismic changes in that environment.

The "Ramon Margalef" will perform tests on the fly to obtain images of what is happening in the ocean. According to sources from Armon, the "Ramon Margalef" of 46 m in length, is characterized by:

- High-tech propellers designed by VICUSdt specific to achieve minimum levels of noise and avoid affecting the marine ecosystem.

- Propulsion system consisting of two engines of 900 kW each, supplied by INDAR / Ingeteam.

- Baliño supplied the fore and aft side thrusters (4 blades).

- Guascor has manufactured the five generator sets of the vessel's power plant.

- The scientific area has four laboratories (multipurpose, damp, noise-control and biology). Just as a computer centre, lifting keel, fishing area and electronics workshop.

- Ibercisa has supplied five trawl winches and a double net drum.

- Ferri provides the main crane, gantries and a telescopic arm.

- Other suppliers are: Guerra, Emenasa, Kongsberg, Tecnisa, Regenasa, E. Rias and Motec.

All inspections were certified by Bureau Veritas and by the owner's site surveyors, BPMS.

Jose Ignacio Diaz said that the vessels that were moved to the area allow a high prospective and symbiosis for the seismic monitoring of the evolution of El Hierro.

We invite you to see the pictures (coming soon video) in http://www.3kminaval.com/

LAUNCHING OF OCEANOGRAPHIC "Ramon Margalef"

On April 9, proceeded to the launching of the research vessel "Ramon Margalef" in ARMON-Vigo shipyards.

The ship is one of the most advanced laboratories currently floating. Armon Vigo Shipyard built for the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO). The new ship is part of the renovation plan for oceanographic fleet of IEO.

Ramon Margalef the research vessel of 46 meters represents an investment of over 18 million euros. Specially built for oceanographic research missions, fisheries and for the integrated study of ecosystems.

The renovation plan for oceanographic fleet of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) includes the construction of a sister ship of the Ramon Margalef, the  Angeles Alvariño (2012).

The Margalef oceanographic work at national and adjacent waters with a range of 10 days and up to 23 people, 12 crew members and 11 researchers and technicians.

The Ramon Margalef emit very low levels of noise radiated into the water, (ICES CRR 209), thus avoiding affect natural behavior of fish that are around. The ship is fully automated operating with fewer crew members but with the maximum security against adverse weather conditions.

The boat has three diesel engines of 1040 hp each and two electric motors of 900 kW engines and optimization system that can increase power without increasing consumption. The Ramon Margalef has dynamic positioning system and an underwater positioning system for underwater vehicles operating in remote sensing (ROV).

The work of Astilleros Armon Vigo has been quite prestigious by the owners and technicians involved in the project, demonstrating once again the extraordinary capacity building of the Dockyard and Shipbuilding Spanish.

DELIVERY OF RIO TAMBRE

Astilleros Armon has just delivered to the Guardia Civil the "RIO TAMBRE" a fast speed boat for patrol missions.

The vessel of 21.19 meters in length and a maximum speed of 36 knots provided by the two engines of 1,080 kW ,will carry out surveillance and sea control in Spanish territorial waters.

This boat was built by ARMON AUX NAVAL. And by its nature represents a new generation of patrol boats for maritime services of the Guardia Civil. Stresses its large capacity for intervention from both the craft and through the rapid deployment system of your boat VALIANT DR-400, 40 HP.

A.H. VALLETTA - A.H.T.S. LAST GENERATION

Armon Vigo Shipyard has delivered the vessel AH Valletta (C-72) to the Italy shipowner "Rimorchiatori Riuniti". VALLETTA AH-Tug AHTS is a specialist in offshore support and anchor-handling from 19,000 BHP, a length of 70 m and 20 m beam, with a capacity of bollard pull of 210 tonnes. Fi-Fi systems including 2 and DP 2 (dynamic positioning).

This ship is the largest of the current fleet of the Shipowner.