Decommissioning of the hydrographic ship ‘Antares’ after serving in the Spanish Navy for more than 50 years.

Today, the Puntales Naval Station held the decommissioning ceremony of the hydrographic ship ‘Antares’. The ceremony was presided by the Chief of the Cadiz Arsenal, Vice-admiral Rubén Rodríguez Peña, accompanied by the last crew of the ship, in addition to former commanders and crew members who served on board during these 50 years.

At present, with the decommissioning of the ‘Antares’, the Hydrographic Flotilla is made up by the ships ‘Malaspina’ and ‘Tofiño’, both homeported at the La Carraca Naval Base of in San Fernando.

The ‘Antares’, designed and built by Navantia in San Fernando (Cádiz), was usually based at the Puntales Naval Station. She was launched on February 14th 1973, and delivered to the Spanish Navy on November 21st 1974 as the third of the four hydrographic ships of the ‘Castor’-class. This ship has been integrated into the Hydrographic Flotilla, dependent on the Hydrographic Institute of the Navy.

Among the tasks and missions carried out by the ‘Antares’ were hydrographic surveys, oceanographic works and underwater seabed explorations, the updating of charts, lighthouse books, coastal photography and meteorological data, as well as the updating of the information included in the nautical cartography.

Throughout her life. the ‘Antares’ has had the opportunity to participate in operations like the Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) and has collaborated in FLOTEX-type exercises of the Spanish Navy which are advanced annual exercises aimed at implementing, assessing and evaluating the capability of the Naval Force, integrating all the training of the different units and operational staffs. The ship has also collaborated with other State agencies and institutions with responsibilities in maritime issues such as the Maritime Rescue Service or State Ports.

Future plans

Last year the Government approved in the Council of Ministers the shipbuilding of new Hydrographic Vessels.

The Ministry of Defense entrusted the Navantia shipyard with the design and construction of two Coastal Hydrographic vessels. This program is part of the new investment cycle, with the aim of modernizing the capabilities of the Armed Forces. The new vessels will update and strengthen the Hydrographic Flotilla, which is responsible for the official nautical cartography of the State and specific military cartography.

The ships will be built by Navantia in San Fernando (SW Spain). Also scheduled for this year is the approval of the construction of an oceanographic hydrographic vessel and five hydrographic barges. The program seeks to renew the old ships of the Navy’s Hydrographic Institute, in service since the 70's of the last century, being already at the end of their operational life.

The Hydrographic Institute is integrated into the Maritime Action Force (FAM), which within the Fleet, is in charge, with an integral approach, of ensuring permanent cooperation with the various Administrations with competences in the maritime field. They are part of the Navy's contribution to the State's action at sea. The Institute plays an important role in matters of maritime security as it is the competent organization for planning, programming, training and preserving the official nautical cartography of Spain, as well as representing it in international forums.