MV Jessica was an oil tanker that was involved in an oil spill in the Galápagos Islands , a chain of islands 972 km (525 nmi) west of continental Ecuador , of which they are a part. The ship was registered in Ecuador and owned by Acotramar . On the evening of 16 January 2001, Jessica ran aground at Wreck Bay, at the entrance to the port of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno , the capital of the Galápagos Province , located on the southwestern coast of San Cristóbal Island . The ship was carrying 600 tons (160,000 gallons) of diesel oil and 300 tons (80,000 gallons) of intermediate fuel oil . The diesel was destined for the fuel dispatch station on Baltra Island , while the fuel oil was destined for the tourist vessel Galapagos Explorer .
15-533: On 20 January, the fuel oil began to spill from Jessica . Recovery attempts began immediately, with the Ecuadorian Navy , the GNP, and local fishermen and volunteers containing and recovering the oil from the ocean surface. Oiled animals were attended to. On San Cristóbal, seven Galápagos sea lions and 17 birds ( brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies ) were affected by the fuel oil spill. On Santa Fe Island ,
30-484: A high level of alert in order to execute special operations in difficult territory as well as to provide a fast response to counter amphibious incursions. Structure: The rank insignia of commissioned officers . The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel . Pacific Coast Pacific coast may be used to reference any coastline that borders the Pacific Ocean . Countries on
45-484: A number of sea lions were affected and the marine iguana population was greatly reduced. Due to lack of equipment and conditions at sea, the containment measures failed, and slicks drifted with the wind. A small beach on the southern side of Santa Cruz Island , as well as Tortuga Bay, were affected. The United States Coast Guard assisted in recovering the fuel oil remaining aboard the ship. A total of 175,000 US gallons (660,000 L) of diesel and fuel oil spilled into
60-530: Is an Ecuadorian entity responsible for the surveillance and protection of national maritime territory and has a personnel of 9,400 men to protect a coastline of 2,237 km which reaches far into the Pacific Ocean. The vessels are identified by a ship prefix of B.A.E. : Buque de la Armada del Ecuador (Ship of the Ecuadorian Navy) or L.A.E. : Lancha de la Armada del Ecuador (Boat of
75-704: The Damen Stan 2600 design for the Coast Guard. The Naval Infantry Corps ( Cuerpo de Infanteria de Marina ) was formed on 12 November 1962. It maintains a strength of around 1700 marines , with their HQ in Guayaquil . The units are individually spread across the naval coast of Ecuador and are equipped with infantry support weapons, including 60 mm and 81 mm mortars , 106 mm recoilless rifles (RCLs) and Humvees . However, it lacks amphibious assault and sealift capacity. The Ecuadorian Marines are to maintain
90-706: The Ecuadorian–Peruvian War , the gunboat Abdón Calderón commanded by Rafael Morán Valverde encountered the Peruvian destroyer Almirante Villar in the Jambeli channel . The Ecuadorian gunboat opened fire on Villar , keeping its distance while doing shots for elevation, but the Peruvian destroyer returned fire for the duration of the chase, which was ended by the Peruvians when the Calderon took refuge in
105-710: The Ecuadorian Navy or ( Armada Ecuatoriana ) date back to 1823 whilst forming a part of the Gran Colombian fleet. The government of President Eloy Alfaro (1906–1911) made one of the most notable naval acquisitions of the time, the torpedo ship Libertador Bolívar , with the aim of restoring the navy. In 1832, the Ecuadorian Congress officially established the Ecuadorian Maritime Department. On 25 July 1941 during
120-550: The Ecuadorian Navy). Organize, train, equip and maintain naval capabilities, as well as to assist and support all procedures involving national security and development. Contribute to the achievement of safeguarding national objectives in times of peace and war. Maintain highly trained naval forces to secure victory within the maritime zone in order to support developing communities. As a consequence operate highly qualified military personnel whom are able to fulfill this role based on elevated moral, values and principles. The roots of
135-623: The Navy's coastal surveillance capacity significantly. Currently the Navy consists of the following aircraft: The Coast Guard ( Cuerpo de Guardacostas de la Armada ) became fully operational in 1980. Their mission is to control maritime activities on national territory, including all river zones. The objectives are internal security, protection of human life at sea, and environmental protection. It consists of around 250 men and 30 major as well as 40 smaller modern patrol vessels. In 2011 Ecuador ordered four 26.5 metres (87 ft) patrol vessels based on
150-680: The South Sea. Only four countries in South America have a Pacific coast as a part (or all) of their border. Countries and territories on the eastern , north-eastern , and south-eastern sides of Asia have a Pacific coast as a part (or all) of their border. Australia 's Pacific coast is on its eastern border. Except the Ashmore and Cartier Islands and the Australian Indian Ocean Territories , all
165-557: The chances of maintaining a strong force within the Pacific Ocean. Since introduction of a restructuring program within the Armed Forces (PATRIA I), the Navy's structure became simplified. It supervises the Pacific Coast and Galápagos Islands as one naval zone. Most seagoing assets are based at Guayaquil . Currently the Navy consists of the following vessels: The Ecuadorian Naval Aviation ( Aviación Naval Ecuatoriana )
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#1732801430945180-520: The channels. The Calderon was unharmed in the skirmish and according to Ecuador, the Peruvian Villar suffered damages, an allegation that has always been refuted by Perú. However, this event had no influence over the general outcome of the war as Puerto Bolivar was lost to Peruvian troops only two days later. Today, the Ecuadorian Navy is a compact, efficient and well-balanced force. However, limited funds hinder any major acquisitions and
195-607: The sea; this was one of the worst environmental disasters in the archipelago's history. Lynn W. Lougheed, a biologist studying with the Charles Darwin Foundation at the time, was in charge of coordinating the research on species affected by the spill of the MV Jessica. 0°53′46″S 89°37′00″W / 0.8961°S 89.6168°W / -0.8961; -89.6168 Ecuadorian Navy The Ecuadorian Navy ( Spanish : Armada del Ecuador )
210-472: The western side of North America have a Pacific coast as their western or south-western border. One of the notable exceptions is Panama , where the Pacific coast is primarily on its southern border. The first Europeans to see the Pacific Ocean were able to do so by crossing the narrow Isthmus of Panama . The unique position of Panama in relation to the Pacific Ocean resulted in the ocean initially being named
225-644: Was formed in 1967 with fixed-wing aircraft and received some helicopters in 1973. It remains the least effective section of the navy; capable of performing limited maritime patrol missions, it consists of a fixed wing and a rotary wing element. Aircraft are based at Base Aérea Simón Bolívar in Guayaquil and the Eloy Alfaro Air Base in Manta . The most recent acquisitions of the ANE are two Heron 1 and four Searcher Mk. III from Israel. These have increased
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