Sociedad de Salvamento

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Seguridad Marítima

Aircraft/Helicopters - Tugs/Salvage Ships

 Guardamar - Alusafe 2000 - Alusafe 1500

Numbering System and Bases

(Please give the page time to load as there are a great deal of photographs! In a couple of months time this page will be subdivided into seven sections to enable faster loading times!)

Formation:

Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Maritima was created on 24/11/92 by the Laws of the Ports of the State and the Merchant Marine - SASEMAR commenced operations in March 1993 taking over from the then regionally controlled Salvamento Maritima operations to provide a centrally run service.

Organisation:

The Servicios Centrales and the Centro Nacional de Coordinacion de Salvamento are based in Madrid and have 21 Centro de Coordinacion de Salvamento (CCS) stations based along Spain’s 8,000 km coastline. In the north these are situated at Vigo, Finisterre Porto do Son), A Coruńa, Gijón, Santander and Bilbao. In the south the centres range from Huelva in the southeast to Cádiz, Tarífa, Algeciras and Almería before moving up the eastern coast from Cartagena to Valencia, Castellón, Tarragona, Barcelona, Palamós and Palma, and Las Palmas and Tenerife in the Canaries. The additional bases around the coast report directly to their appropriate centre. There are also six "Bases Estrategicas" spread throughout Spain for holding the equipment, provisions and materials for all the boats, these are situated at: A Coruňa, Madrid, Castellón, Tenerife, Santander, Seville and Madrid with an additional one to be opened at Cartagena (replacing Madrid). In addition to the listing below the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) rescue launches, of which around 327 are in use operating from 51 First Aid Posts for Sea-Rescue along the coastline, also some times wear the SM badge.

SASEMAR Plans:

In March 2006 an announcement was made regarding the €1.022m SASEMAR plans for the period 2006-2009: these included the opening of 10 new bases and the acquisition of a further 16 of the Alusafe 200/20m class (10 for the new bases and 6 to replace to replace some of the older vessels). A total of 10 new tugs would be constructed, owned and operated during the period comprising the second of the SASEMAR 1-class, the two SASEMAR 2-class and the seven SASEMAR 3-class. It was also released that a new class of 10 launches of 25/30m would be purchased while the Helimer service would receive a total of 10 new rescue helicopters (Augusta-WHL US-139’s). A total of 4 CASA/EADS CN-235-300 Persuader’s would be purchased/leased (3 in operation and 1 in reserve) and in the interim period 3 Beechcraft Baron B55’s will be used until the new aircraft are available. In September 2007 it was revealed that the four new SASEMAR 3-class tugs, each of 900-tons, that were under construction in Union Naval in Valencia would replace some of the older chartered ships, the first of which, Maria De Maeztu, was delivered in early 2008 to Bilbao while the Maria Zambrano (BS-22) followed in May 2008 to Cádiz. It was announced in late 2008 that the plans covering the 2010-2012 period were about 80% complete and that these will further strengthen the services ability to respond to emergencies.

New Bases:

The first two of the new bases to be opened under the 2006-2009 planning were in the Canary Islands one at La Restinga on the island of Hierro when the Salvamar Alphecca moved across from Tenerife and the other on San Sebastian de la Gomero in mid 2006. This was followed by a third on the south coast at Barbate between Tarífa and Cádiz in November 2006. The basing process was developed around the requirement to have a rescue launch on station anywhere on the Spanish coastline 15-miles out to sea in 75-minutes of an alert. Later that year a station was stood up at Porto Colom on the eastern coast of Mallorca and in about May 2007 the Salvamar Aldebaran moved from Burriana/Castellón to the new base at Ciudadela on the west coast of Menorca when the new Salvamar Sabik arrived. In June 2007 the Salvamar Castor moved to the newly established Rosas base and the next month Salvamar Vega moved from Málaga, having been replaced by one of the new launches, to the newly established station at Estepona. In November 2007 the Salvamar Sargadelos made the journey from Burela (Lugo) in the north of Spain to Ribeira in southern Galicia, again having been replaced by a new vessel. The ninth of the new bases was established at Bilbao in June 2008 with the arrival of the 2008-built Salvamar Alcyone.

Aircraft:

On 06/05/05 it was revealed that the Spanish Government had placed an 82.4m-euro order for three CN235-300’s for operation by SASEMAR on SAR and anti-pollution duties. By mid-late 2006 there were leased three Beech Baron 55’s (EC-COF, COG and COH) in service later being joined by a fourth example (EC-CDF) by 2007: “Serviola Uno” based at Gando AFB on Gran Canaria, “Serviola Dos” based at Almería on the South Coast and “Serviola Tres” at Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain (by 2008 only the Almería based aircraft remained). In mid-late 2007 it was announced that the "Serviola Dos" which covers the South-Eastern area was the first to be replaced/augmented by the first CN-235 EC-KEK/101 "Isabel de Villena". The Santiago de Compostela based CN-235 EC-KEL/102 is named "Rosalia de Castro" while the Canaries based example EC-KEM/103 is named after the local writer "Josefina de la Torre".

One of SASEMAR's new CASA-235's "101" still carrying it's Test Registration EC-235. (Photo Sasemar/EADS)

The second aircraft of the order "102" carrying its test registration EC-027 (Photo by Oses Angel)

Seen at Las Palmas, EC-KEM "103", on 08/06/07 a day after it entered service (Photo by Tomas)

Another view of EC-KEM at Melilla (Photo Bruno Cleries)

Beech 55 Baron operated by Senasa on behalf of SASEMAR (Author, Location and Date unknown, let me know someone!)

Helicopters:

Helicopters currently on strength comprising three Sikorsky S-61N’s, EC-FZJ/208? (c/n 61-758), EC-FTB/209 (61-741) and EC-FVO/210? (61-756), two SA-365-N2 Dauphin’s, EC-HIM (c/n 6478) and EC-HCL (c/n 6416) plus AW-139's, EC-KLM/201 (c/n 31???), EC-KLN/202 (c/n 31202), EC-KLV/203 (c/n 31205) and EC-KJT/20? (c/n 31104) which are allocated as follows:

Helimer Andalusia EC-FTB over Europa Point Gibraltar (Photo N. Rush)

EC-FTB pictured 14/08/07 during the rescue of the crew from the sinking "New Flame" (Photo by D. Ferro)

EC-FMZ S-61N (Photo by Pacodime)

Helimer Alboran Bell-212 EC-GXA at Almeria, now sold (Photo by Pacodime)

The Salvamento Maritima SA365-N2 Dauphin EC-HIM (c/n 6478) (Location unknown, "In the Air", Photo via D. Ferro)

On 8th February 2006 it was announced that Westland-Augusta had been awarded an initial contract from SASEMAR to build three US-139’s especially for SAR work. An additional order for a further two AW US-139's (A total of ten helicopters are planned) was placed by SASEMAR on 09/10/07 taking orders for the twin-engined helicopter to more then 280 examples from more the 80 different commercial, Government and military customers around the world. The first two examples "Helimer 201 and 202" were handed over on 07/12/07 with the third "Helimer 203" being delivered to Galicia on 14/03/08. "Helimer  204" was delivered to Santander 18/06/08 replacing a AS-365N2 Dauphin. Under the 2006-2009 plan four more helicopter bases are to be established.

The first AW-139 for SASEMAR, EC-KLM "Helimer 201" pictured on a test flight prior to delivery (Photo Augusta-Westland).

The second AW-139, EC-KLN "Helimer 202" seen at the handover of the first two helicopters at AW's Vergiate Plant on 07/12/07, this aircraft later departed to its new base in Tenerife. (Photo Augusta-Westland).

This page would not have been possible without the dedication of the photographers over at www.fotosdebarcos.com who have kindly allowed me to use their pictures. Also this page should be taken as a tribute to all at SASEMAR who risk their lives on a daily basis in order to help those at risk at sea around the Spanish Coastline:

Neill Rush

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Tug/Salvage Ships

SASEMAR 1 Class:

BS-12 Luz de Mar taken in Northern Spain in 2006 before moving to Tenerife (Photo by Romarin)

The Algeciras based BS-21 Miguel de Cervantes rounds Europa Point, Gibraltar in September 2006 (Photo N. Rush)

Luz de Mar was built and launched as Ecosar Boreal (ex-Armon Vigo 42) and fitted out at Vigo. Miguel de Cervantes is ex- Ecosar Austral/Armon Vigo 43 and was first noted in Algeciras 01/06. The Luz de Mar (BS-12) moved from A Coruňa to Tenerife when the new Don Inda entered service and was re-numbered BS-41.

SASEMAR 2 (Neptune) Class:

BS-11 Don Inda pictured in A Coruna 2006 (Photo by Romarin)

The Maria Zambrano prior to being renamed Clara Campoamor (Photo Zamakona)

BS-32 Clara Campoamor, normally based in Palma, but pictured at Valencia in May 2007 (Photo by Socaire)

BS-32 Clara Campoamor pictured off Algeciras in September 2007 (Photo by Juan)

BS-32 Clara Campoamor off Europa Point, Gibraltar on a very grey choppy day 10/02/08 (Photo N. Rush)

Don Inda was launched 28/03/06 (ex-Zamakona 618) and the Clara Campoamor is ex-Maria Zambrano and Zamakona 619. In the plans for 2006-2009 it was announced that a total of ten tugs/salvage vessels would be owned and in operation by SASEMAR of which seven were to be new build ships. Four are to be based in Galicia/Cantabria, two in "Sur Estrecho", one in the Canaries and three in the Mediterranean. In early April 2007 the Carla Campoamor (BS-32) was noted on exercise off of the East side of Gibraltar with the Miguel de Cervantes, this was a confirmation that this was a renaming of the Marian Zambrano (see below).

SASEMAR 3-class (900t) - 39.7 x 12.5 x 5.80m

UNV461 and UNV462 under construction at Valencia in September 2007 (Photo by Socaire)

......and four weeks later almost at launch stage (Photo by Socaire)

........UNV461 (top) and UNV462 (bottom), into the water they go!!! 26th October 2007 (Photos by Socaire)

UNV463 seen alongside in Valencia on 20/01/08 (Photo by Tino)

Maria de Maeztu (ex-UNV461) seen in Valencia during February 2008 (Photo by Socaire)

Maria Zambrano (ex-UNV462) photographed off Valencia 15/04/08 (Photo by Socaire)

Maria Pita (BS-14,ex-UNV463) in Algeciras 29/0708 on delivery to Northern Spain (Photo by Juan)

UNV464 on the slipway at Valencia 16/04/08 (Photo by Socaire)

Now named Marta Mata the ex-UNV464 is seen in Valencia 03/05/08 (Photo by Socaire)

The Marta Mata seen alongside in Valencia on 16/08/08 (Photo by Socaire)

Constructed at Union Naval in Valencia, Maria de Maeztu is ex-UNV461 and is IMO 9429091, Maria Zambrano is ex-UNV462 and is IMO 9429106 and was delivered via Algeciras in late May 2008. The Maria Pita is ex-UNV463 and has been allocated IMO 9429118. Marta Mata is ex-UNV464, IMO9429120 and was laid down 14/11/07. The first, Maria de Maeztu, was delivered via Algeciras 10-12/04/08, arriving in Marin 13/04/08 en-route to Bilbao becoming BS-13 by July 2008. The second, Maria Zambrano, was numbered BS-22 (SASEMAR Relief Fleet allocation) and is currently operating around Barbate on the south coast between Cadiz and Tarifa. The Maria Pita (BS-14) was delivered via Algeciras on 29/07/08 to Marin. Marta Mata was due to go to A Coruňa in late 2008 but instead was numbered BS-33 in October indicating its Mediterranean basing! Three more of the class were ordered by SASEMAR in an announcement made on 17/07/08, all to be constructed by UNV.

Other SASEMAR Vessels:

Newly renumbered as BS-12 the Alonso de Chaves (Photo by Senelero)

The Punta Mayor pictured in Barcelona in 2006 (Photo by Nacho)

Seen in Tenerife in 2006 is the BS-42 Punta Salinas (Photo by Maritime)

Alonso de Chaves is owned by the Spanish Government and operated by Remolques Maritimo, Punta Mayor and Punta Salinas are owned and operated by Remolques Maritimo on behalf of SASEMAR. The Punta Mayor was replaced as BS-21 in Algeciras and was noted as BS-31 in the Bay of Gibraltar with the new number on 28/01/06. She has since left and was noted in Barcelona in 03/06. The Alonso de Chaves has now been replaced as BS-11 by the new Don Inda and has taken up the BS-12 slot vacated by Luz de Mar. The Punta Mayor (BS-31) was noted 08/06/07 off Cádiz turning north, apparently heading for Vigo but noted back in Barcelona during 08/07.

Other Chartered Vessels:

Britannia Uno pictured on a recent 2007 visit to Las Palmas (Photo by Eyeglass/FdB)

Owned by Naviera Aries of Sant Carles de Rapita, it is reported that this vessel is operating off the West African Coast with a small embarked unit of Guardia Civil Officers in support of anti-illegal immigrant operations. Reports also suggest that the Spanish Government are attempting to purchase this vessel outright.

Ibaizabal Uno at its base in A Coruna in 2007 (Photo by JuanMTC)

Owned and operated by Remolcadores Ibaizabal on behalf of SASEMAR.

Ibaizabal Dos pictured at Gijon in 2007 (Photo by Serviola)

Ibaizabal Tres, believed to be at Marin in 2006 (Photo by JMBC)

Owned and operated by Ibaizabal Petronor for SASEMAR. Ibaizabal Dos was replaced at Bilbao by the new SASEMAR-3 tug, Maria Maeztu, in April 2008, reported at Marin 20/06/08 and off of the east coast of Spain in early July 2008. Ibaizabal Tres was replaced later in 2008 by the third of the new class and was noted back in the Mediterranean 0n 18/08/08.

Ria de Vigo in Ibiza in early 2007 (Photo by Esparray)

Remolcanosa Cinco in 2007, possibly at Marín (Photo by JMBC)

Remolcanosa Ochenta at Motril in 2007 (Photo by Nani)

Owned and operated by Remolcanosan Nosa on behalf of SASEMAR, the Pau de Luz is believed to have gone off Charter when the Luz de Mar entered service, and the Remolcanosa Ochento went off charter in 2008. The Ria de Vigo left Palma in September for a dry-docking in Vigo and has now gone off charter following the delivery of the new Marta Mata and commenced a new contract with the European Maritime Safety A.

VB Antarctico pictured at Valencia May 2007 (Photo by Socaire)

Owned and operated by the Boluda Group for SASEMAR but it is uncertain if it is still on full charter. The former Canaries based Boluda Mistral, last reported as Las Palmas based in 12/05, has gone off charter, and the Golfo de Rosas (ex-Las Palmas) was sold in Mexico in 2003/4.

The Punta Tarifa off of the Canary Islands (Photo by Maritime)

Chartered in 2006 and based in the Canary Islands to help in the attempt to stem the tide of illegal immigrants from the African Coast. Owned and operated by CIRESA in support of SASEMAR operations. Not current in 2008.

Along the northern coastline of Spain the tugs are assigned to the areas "Noroeste and Cantábrico" while Cádiz is classed as "Mediterráneo Suboccidental". Algeciras and Cartagena come under "Mediterráneo Sur", Malaga "Mediterráneo Suroriental", Palma is referred to as "Mediterráneo Central", Tarragona as "Mediterráneo Norte" and the Canaries simply as "Canaries".

Just click the picture!

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