ARC Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera
ARC Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera is the sixth in a number of progressively improved heavy riverine patrol and support vessels of the Colombian Navy (Armada de la República de Colombia - ARC). Specifically, it is classified as a PAF-IV (Spanish: Patrullera de Apoyo Fluvial - Pesada - 4th generation). The ship is named in honor of the Marine Infantry Frigate Lieutenant Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera,[1] who died in 2004 after wounds sustained in combat during operations in the Colombian eastern plains.[2]
 ARC TEFIM Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Colombia | |
| Name: | Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera |
| Ordered: | 2005 |
| Builder: | COTECMAR |
| Launched: | July 26, 2006 |
| Status: | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Riverine Patrol and Support Vessel (PAF) |
| Displacement: | 373 tons |
| Length: | 40.3 m (132 ft 3 in) |
| Beam: | 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in) |
| Draft: | 1.26 m (4 ft 2 in) |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
| Range: | 2,900 nmi (5,400 km; 3,300 mi) |
| Endurance: | 20 days |
| Complement: | 4 officers, 29 crewmen, 39 marines |
| Armament: |
|
| Armor: | NIJ level III |
| Aviation facilities: | Helipad |
Background
In addition to the more common tasks of a blue-water navy and coast guard, the Colombian Navy (ARC) also has shared responsibility for patrolling the extensive Colombian network of rivers. During the years 2000–2005, the ARC had been slowly but steadily expanding and modernizing its fleet of PAF riverine patrol vessels, and had worked with COTECMAR in the indigenous design and construction of the previous types of PAF vessels (generations I- III). By 2005, the ARC commissioned COTECMAR for a new design that would include and build upon the experiences gathered with the previous generations of vessels.[3] Some of the desired capabilities included extended range/endurance, helipad capability for provisioning and SAR/medevac, newer or upgraded offensive and defensive systems and improved support for embarked Marine Infantry units and smaller dependent patrol boats, such as the 22 ft (6.7 m) 'Piraña' and 'Anguila' boats.
The futuristic look of ARC Juan Ricardo Oyola Vera and its angled surfaces is due to the incorporation of modern design techniques in ballistic protection and marine shipbuilding, and has given rise to the occasional comment about it being a "stealth" vessel. It was designed and built by COTECMAR, a Colombian state-owned shipping design and construction company.
Service
The vessel was launched into service on July 26, 2006.[4] It is deployed to the rivers of the Pacific coast.[5]
References
- Spanish: Teniente de Fragata, Infantería de Marina (TEF IM)
- Colombian Navy website article announces vessel launch (Spanish).
- COTECMAR-Heavy riverine patrol vessel overview (Spanish)
- Presidential speech announcing the launch of the ship (Spanish).
- Colombian Navy institutional newspaper - Periódico "A la Mar", Ed. 83 (Spanish)