The Mexican Navy (Secretaria de Marina – SEMAR) has launched the ninth of ten Tenochtitlan-class vessels it builds under a contract with Dutch shipbuilder Damen.
ARM Bonampak, as the vessel is named, was launched during a ceremony held at the Navy’s Astimar 1 yard in Tampico on January 12.
The ceremony was attended by the secretary of the Mexican Navy, Admiral Vidal Francisco Soberon Sanz, the governor of Tamaulipas Javier García Cabeza de Vaca and other officials.
Tenochtitlan-class vessels will perform surveillance operations, interdiction, search and rescue operations and combating illegal activities at sea in the Mexican maritime zones.
The vessels are based on the Damen Stan Patrol 4207 design. Damen provides the engineering, material package, technical assistance and crew training while the Astimar yard builds the boats.
In January 2016, the Mexican Navy signed a contract with the Dutch shipbuilder for the final three vessels.
The Communication and Transport Sector Program 2013-2018 for the Mexican naval and merchant industry envisions to build a total of 20 of these ships.
The vessels are 42.80 meters long and 7.11 meters wide. They displace 239 tons and reach speeds of 25 knots. According to the Mexican Navy, the 18-crew vessels can stay on patrol for 14 days before they have to return to the port.