Congress approves two U.S. Navy ships
to dock in Costa Rica

The deputies of Congress approved this week the government's request permit for docking, crew disembarkment and stay in the national territory for two U.S. Navy ships.
 
The first is the USS Freedom Littoral Combat Ship Class, known as LCS 1. According to the U.S. Navy, the LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused- platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.


The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams.

The Freedom-variant is a steel monohull design constructed by Lockheed Martin in Wisconsin.

The LCS ships are outfitted with mission packages, made up of mission systems and support equipment, that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare or surface warfare missions, the U.S. Navy said. The USS Freedom LCS 1 is assigned to the port of San Diego, California.

The other U.S. Navy ship authorized to dock, disembark and stay in port is the vessel MV Kellie Chouest.


This is a Deep Submergence Elevator Support Ship operated under the Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Ship Program and leased from Edison Chouest Offshore, according to the Global Security organization. The ship is for deepwater rescue, salvage and research missions.

"The arrival of the ships is to refuel and buy food," deputy Zoila Volio said. She voted in favor of the arrival of the two ships.

It is expected that the Congress or the Ministry of Security will provide more information on the arrival date of both ships and the port to which they would be assigned.

Last year, in May, Congress approved a port call for the crew, in other words the berthing, stay in port, and disembarkation permission for the U.S. Navy crew of the USS Tornado (WPC-14) at Golfito Port, Puntarenas Province.


According to the U.S. Navy, the USS Tornado (WPC-14) is the 14th and last "Cyclone" class patrol coastal ship, notable for being the only ship in the class designed with shaping features for signature management.

The ship was transferred to the United States Coast Guard in 2004.

The Tornado general characteristics are: a Cyclone-class patrol ship, displacement 331 tons, 179 feet in length, 25 foot beam, 7.5 foot draft, the installed power are two CAT Marine SSDG, has 4 Paxman Valenta diesel engines, and the speed of 31 knots. It also includes boats and approximately a crew of 3 officers, 2 chiefs, and 25 enlisted, according to the U.S. Naval Vessel Register.

The ship patrol carries an armament of two Mk38 chain guns, two Mk19 grenade launchers, two machine guns and six stinger missiles, reported the Naval register.

Although the original request included a crew landing permit, a letter sent by the Ministry of Security to Congress reported that crews did not disembark due to the pandemic.

Pacheco said the ships are of great importance for Costa Rica in the fight against drug trafficking.

The Tornado remained docked at Golfito Port until September 30, 2020, Congress reported.

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What are the benefits of Congress authorizing the arrival of more ships from the U.S. Navy in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

































 

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