Ocean-going Tugboat 'La Graña' (A-53)
Ships
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The Commanding Officer of the ocean-going tug “La Graña” welcomes you and invites you to learn more about this Maritime Action ship with home port in Puntales Naval Station (Cádiz). Apart from her distinctive role as a tugboat, the A-53 also collaborates in training activities with other naval units.
| DISPLACEMENT | 670 tons |
|---|---|
| LENGTH | 33 meters |
| BEAM | 9.6 meters |
| PROPULSION | 1 SULZER diesel engines (3,220 HP) 1 propeller 2 GUASCOR electric generators |
| CREW | 23 |
| WEAPONS | 2 MG machine-guns (7.62 mm) Portable weapons |
| SENSORS | 1 surface/navigation radar RAYTHEON NSC 18 (X band) 1 navigation radar RACCAL-DECCA C181/6 (I band) |
| MISCELLANEOUS | 1 RHIB) Cargo crane |
This Spanish Navy ship is normally entrusted with the following tasks:
- Collaboration in firing exercises with the Navy and other military Services.
- Towing of Navy units
- Surveillance and fishing control
- Training exercises
Our home port is Puntales Naval Station (Cádiz).
The small number of weapons on board is enough for deterrence and self-defense purposes.
The ship is equipped with 2 MG machine-guns and several portable weapons like rifles, pistols and shotguns.
The ship was built by Luzuriaga & Co. in its Pasajes Shipyards in 1982 and was procured by the Spanish Navy in 1983.
The crew consists of 26 people: 3 officers, 5 NCOs and 18 leading seamen and ratings.
The A-53 participates in many exercises and maneuvers scheduled every year with other Maritime Action ships. She also operates as support ship for different Fleet units and contributes to training activities and surveillance tasks in the Gulf of Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar.
While in port, the A-53 carries out the necessary maintenance and repair works to keep the ship fully operational.
Some of the most important missions are towing obsolete and decommissioned warships to Canary Islands waters as “target ships” for SINKEX exercises.
The A-53 also operates as escort ship for damaged or broken down units and ad-hoc auxiliary ship for the fishing fleet in the Strait of Gibraltar. Other exercises include: FAMEX, MINEX, FLOTEX, NOBLE MARINER, etc.