Patrol Boat “CENTINELA” (P-72)

The Commanding Officer of the “Centinela” welcomes you and invites you to visit this website. The “Centinela” is part of the Maritime Action Force and her home port is the Military Arsenal of Ferrol. She is the second “Serviola”-class unit.

Displacement: 1,200 tons.

Length: 68,65 m.

Beam: 10,35 m

Crew: 46.

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Aircraft: Flight deck for medium-size helicopters.

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The main mission of this oceanic patrol vessel (OPV) is surveillance and protection of national interests in areas of national sovereignty, especially territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Surveillance is carried out to inform on detected suspicious activities; control possible infringements or violations of international law within the maritime sphere, and prevent activities which could affect or jeopardize our national interests. Given her characteristics, the “Centinela” regularly collaborates in favor of other Spanish Navy tasks. Namely exercises with other Fleet units, training of naval school students, Naval Presence in national and international ports, and acquaintance with society through Open Doors days and invitations to sail (schools, associations, etc.).

• Surveillance of fishing grounds of national interest.
• Support Spanish trawlers in the fishing grounds where they work.
• Search, identify and track suspicious ships (terrorism, illegal traffic of weapons and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction).
• Security and protection of specific units.
• Surveillance of sovereignty areas and detect, deter and prevent possible criminal activities.
• Support other State agencies involved in the fight against illegal immigration, drug-smuggling, sea pollution and the protection of human lives at sea.

The ship's home port is the Military Arsenal of Ferrol where the Maritime Action Command is based.

Main artillery piece is a 3"/50 gun for shots across the bows (warning shots).

Secondary artillery: Two 12,7 mm “Browning” machineguns and 1 MG-42 machinegun, plus other portable weapons like CETME rifles, pistols and shotguns.

A flight deck for take-offs and landings of medium-sized helicopters; a 6-bed sick bay, and additional accommodation for embarked personnel.

Two semi-rigid craft are used for boarding suspicious vessels. These VBSS visits are conducted by Marine Corps, Special Naval Warfare units, or - i necessary- by Police Forces.

The oceanic patrol boat “Centinela” is the second of a series of four patrol boats built by NAVANTIA (former Bazán) in Ferrol. The ship was launched in October 1990 and sea trials commenced on August 27th 1991.

Her home port was originally Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, but in July 2011 she integrated into the Maritime Action Force with base in Ferrol (Corunna).

Previously, many ships in the Spanish Navy had the same name, among them:

• A sail vessel (1807).
• A schooner (1811).
• A coastguard built in Pasajes in 1842.
• A gunboat built in the USA in 1870.
• A second US-built gunboat (1895).
• A patrol boat (1954).

Her Battle Ensign was presented by the Town Council of La Palma Island on July 9th 1995.

Centinela’s coat of arms refers to her “sentry” mission: Two crossed carbines flanked by castles with chains and a “Drago” an endemic three of the Canary Islands, her first home port.

The crew consists of 46 people: 8 officers, 10 NCOs and 28 seamen and ratings. All of them have been previously trained in different naval schools and academies: Marín, San Fernando and Ferrol.

The oceanic patrol boat “Centinela” was designed for extended periods at sea, even in rough weather. She is currently carrying out maritime surveillance patrols, but also takes part in the scheduled Fleet exercises.

The ship sails with the traditional three-watch system (three eight-hour periods for work, sleep, recreation). With her ample kitchen, larder and freezers, the ship’s endurance at sea is 25 days.

The following are the most noteworthy activities of the “Centinela”:

• Surveillance and support of Spanish trawlers in Saharan and Newfoundland fishing grounds.
• Collaboration with the Judicial Police and Customs Office for the seizure of drug smuggling vessels.
• Frontier control in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Canary Islands during operations NOBLE CENTINELA and INDALO in the fight against illegal immigration.
• Participation in operation ROMEO SIERRA during the Perejil conflict.
• Participation in different SAR exercises.
• Collaboration with the Sea Science School of Las Palmas University.