Freire Shipyard in Vigo has launched the Spanish Navy’s new diving support vessel, the Armada Diving Support Vessel A22 Proserpina.
The compact steel-hulled vessel is intended to support the Spanish Navy’s Military Diving School (Escuela Militar de Buceo – EMB) with day-to-day work that ranges from training support to inspections and technical interventions. Freire describes the program as a milestone for the yard, noting it is the first private shipyard to build a steel vessel for the Spanish Navy.
At 32.9 meters in length with a 9-meter beam, Proserpina is designed for coastal and near-offshore operations rather than long deployments. Reported performance figures include a 12-knot speed and a 500-nautical-mile range. Accommodation is for 15 personnel.
A key feature is a DP2 dynamic positioning system, which will allow the vessel to hold station with precision during diving evolutions and underwater work—particularly useful when operating in confined areas or where anchoring is impractical. Freire has also said the ship incorporates measures aimed at optimizing fuel consumption and reducing emissions.
For its underwater tasks, the vessel is to be fitted with a side-scan sonar (SBL) and deployable unmanned systems, including an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for observation and exploration. In addition to survey and inspection work, Freire has previously stated the EAB will be equipped with a hyperbaric chamber and a wet bell, enabling deep diving operations and underwater interventions down to 90 meters.
The launch follows earlier program milestones at Vigo, including the keel-laying ceremony held in November 2025. At that event, Rear Admiral Francisco Antón Brage, Deputy Director of Engineering within the Navy’s logistics and naval engineering organizations (JAL/DIC), underlined the Navy’s interest in strengthening cooperation with private shipyards and supporting Spain’s industrial and technological base.
Once delivered, Proserpina is expected to give the EMB a dedicated platform tailored to its needs, which is reducing reliance on improvised solutions and improving the safety and tempo of underwater operations.
