As part of the visit of Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), to Quito, Ecuador, a significant cooperation agreement was consolidated between both countries with the signing of a Commitment Act for the transfer of two Island-class patrol boats to the Ecuadorian Navy.
These vessels, with a length of 33.5 meters, previously served in the USCG and will be delivered to Ecuador at no cost, except for expenses related to their refurbishment and transportation. The donation strengthens the cooperation ties between the United States and Ecuador, highlighting Washington’s commitment to maritime security in the region. The new patrol boats will play a crucial role in improving maritime interdiction capabilities and combating drug trafficking in Ecuadorian waters.
Built by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, Louisiana, the Island-class patrol boats were specifically designed for the USCG, replacing the older Point and Cape-class boats. Throughout their service, they have been key in maritime security operations, anti-narcotics missions, search and rescue (SAR) in open sea, and the fight against illegal fishing.
Equipped with two Paxman Valenta 16RP 200M diesel engines (series A and B) or Caterpillar 3516 DITA engines (series C), these vessels can reach speeds of up to 30 knots and have a range of 3,380 nautical miles at 8 knots. Their high-strength steel hull, combined with an aluminum superstructure, comfortably accommodates two officers and 14 crew members. Armament includes a Mk-38 25mm cannon and two .50 caliber machine guns.
According to the specialized site Military.com, of the 49 Island-class vessels built, 41 remain in active service, while 8 have been upgraded to the 123-foot Island-class as part of the Deepwater project, with a total investment of 17 billion dollars.
It should be noted that this addition to the Ecuadorian Navy is complemented by the Hercules C-130H transport aircraft with registration FAE 898, received in March by the Ecuadorian Air Force after being donated by the U.S. government.
Additionally, these types of transfers are part of the U.S. government’s strategy, which will allocate a total of USD 93.4 million to strengthen security and defense capabilities, primarily against groups associated with drug trafficking, over the course of five years.
*Images used for illustrative purposes. Credits: military.com
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