Talcahuano Site Visit: Friday 26th February

With our conference partners ASMAR, we are delighted to offer this fantastic, but extremely limited opportunity to visit the Talcahuano Naval Dockyard and witness the launch of the Chilean Navy's newest ship: AGS 61 “Cabo de Hornos". With space for only 5 people the schedule for the day will run as follows:

Friday 26th February

  • 07.30: Flight LA203 from Santiago for Concepcion*
  • 08.45: Arrive Concepcion and depart for town of Talcahuano
  • 09.30: Check-in at hotel**
  • 11.30: Coaches depart from hotel.
  • 11.45: Arrival at Talcahuano Naval Shipyard
  • 12.15: Welcome reception and briefing by ASMAR
  • 12.50: Lunch.
  • 13.50: Guided tour of facilities including:
    • Graving Docks 1 & 2
    • Slipways
    • Engineering and Maintenance Workshops
  • 5.15: Tour of OPV-81 “Piloto Pardo”
  • 6.15: Coffee Break
  • 6.30: Coach Transfer to hotel

Saturday 27th February

  • 1.00: Coach Transfer to Talcahuano Naval Shipyard
  • 1.30: Launching ceremony for AGS 61 “Cabo de Hornos" attended by the President of the Republic of Chile, Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet and Reception. Dress Code: Formal
  • 00.00: Departure Talcahuano Naval Shipyard and coach transfer to hotel

*Please note that flights are not arranged by Defence IQ or covered in the site visit. We will provide vehicle transport once in Concepcion airport to Talcahuano. Flight transfers from Santiago to Concepcion are available with LAN airlines and currently cost £248. Defence IQ will be arranging our transport around the 11.00 (local time) flight LA207, Santiago to Concepcion and on the return leg, the 14.20 flight LA208.

**Please note that accommodation is not included in site visit price. Defence IQ have block booked room with a local hotel in Concepcion where you can avail of our group booking discount. Please contact IQPC Customer Services for more details and quote COPONA2010 when booking.

About AGS 61 “Cabo de Hornos” (Cape Horn)

The oceanographic and fisheries vessel (AGS) is a state-of-the-art survey vessel built to serve Chile’s needs to develop and survey new resources while monitoring existing ones. Her design, compliant with ICES Cooperative Research Report 209 relating to underwater noise reduction, is built for worldwide geologic, fishery resource survey and oceanographic research. Cabo de Hornos is the latest oceanographic research vessel built under the MEDUSA project – a long-standing desire of Chile’s oceanographic and fishing community to be able to conduct enhanced marine studies, gain a greater knowledge of Chilean seas and gather invaluable information for the best possible management of Chile’s natural resources.

Cabo de Hornos is 74.1 meters long, has a gross tonnage of 3,020t, a draught of 5.7 meters and a maximum speed of 14 knots. She is equipped with an extensive suite of the latest hydroacoustic research and positioning equipment and will arguably be one of the most sophisticated oceanographic survey vessels in the world when she enters service in late 2010 after extensive trials following her launch on 26th February 2010.

About OPV 81 “Piloto Pardo”

“Piloto Pardo” was entirely built by ASMAR in Chile also at the Talcahuano Naval Shipyard and is based on a Fassmer design adapted to Chilean navy requirements. Piloto Pardo, commissioned in June 2008, is 80 metres long, has a draught of 3.8 metres, maximum speed of 20 knots and displaces 1,728 tons. She includes a small landing pad for a Dauphine helicopter and is equipped with two fast boarding boats. Piloto Pardo is manned by a crew of 35 and can operate independently for approximately 30 days or an equivalent range of 8,000 nautical miles.

Piloto Pardo is one of four OPVs under the Danubio IV project of which two have been delivered. The latest, OPV 82 Comandante Toro (pictured here), was delivered last August. The vessels can operate with only one of four power generators and abides by international fuel consumption and emission standards. She also has equipment to detect and help contain sea contamination. The bridge can be manned with just four persons.

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