Mexican Navy commissions two new ships during navy day celebrations

The Mexican Navy commissioned the offshore patrol vessel ARM Chiapas and logistic support support ship ARM Isla Maria Madre during a ceremony on November 23.

The two new vessels were commissioned in the presence of Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto and the secretary of the Mexican Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberon Sanz.

ARM Chiapas is the fifth Oaxaca-class patrol vessel and the first of a new batch of upgraded vessels ordered under the SEMAR 2013-2018 plan.

Constructed at the Astilleros de Marina No 20 (ASTIMAR 20) shipyard located at the Salina Cruz port in the Mexican state Oaxaca, the vessels are 86 meters long, displace 1,680 tonnes and develop a speed of 20 knots. The vessels are crewed by 114 sailors and feature a helicopter and two 11 meter fast interceptor boats.

Logistic support ship Isla Maria Madre is 53-meter-long and will be used to transport people and goods to and from the Islas Marías federal penal colony located in the Marías Islands archipelago.

The vessel is based on the Damen fast crew supplier 5009 which was adapted to include a deck crane and an extra accommodation module. It is powered by four diesel engines and capable of transporting 145 passengers and 17 crew members.