A-52 Las Palmas

Country:  Spain

Class, [Type]: Circos, [ATA].

Builder: Astilleros del Atlántico, Santander, Spain.

Commission date: 30 July 1981.

Displacement ( tons ): 1.437 full load.

Dimensions ( metres ): 41 x 11,6 x 5,5

Main machinery: 2 x AESA/Sulzer 16ASV25/30 diesels ( 7.744 hp ).

Speed ( knots ): 13.

Range ( miles ): 27.000 at 12 knots.

Complement: 33 ( 8 officers ) + 45 scientists.

Guns: 2 x 12,7mm.

Military lift: 640 tons fuel, 100 tons water.

Callsign: EBDG ()

Comment: Former Somiedo. Christened in 1977, delivered in 1978, was built for the Compañía Hispano Americana de Offshore,S.A. It was afterwards bought by the Defense Ministry. This ship was designed and built for oil rig support tasks, and that´s why it has that operational range, which obviously determined its election as Antarctic Research Ship, prior to the comissioning of the Hespérides. The Las Palmas was converted to those duties in 1988. It was necessary to strengthen its bow with 20mm plates and to add a modern satellite communications set, provide acommodation for 22 scientists and free space at the stern available for two containers with technical equipment. With the comission of the Hespérides, the ship was converted again to its original duties as trawler, and was painted again in grey. In year 2002 it was again painted red/white, standard colours for Antarctic Research ships, and was sent along with the Hespérides for supporting roles in the investigation campaing.

Homeport: Cartagena.

Similar units:

 A51 Mahón