The Venezuelan Navy has received the first of four littoral surveillance vessels, the Guaicamacuto, from Navantia at its facilities in San Fernando.

The littoral surveillance vessels will undergo a wide range of missions including surveillance and coastal zone protection, protection of maritime traffic, transport of personnel and supplies, search and rescue operations and early intervention and diver support.

In November 2005, Navantia was awarded contracts for the construction of these four patrol boats and four coastal surveillance vessels.

All the eight vessels are scheduled to be delivered between March 2010 and late 2011.

The 79.90m-long surveillance ship has a displacement capacity of 1,500t and can reach a maximum speed of 22 knots.

The 98.90m-long ocean surveillance ship has a displacement capacity of 2,200t and can reach a maximum speed of 25 knots.