Guaiquerí-class patrol boat
Introduction The '''''Guaiquerí''-class patrol vessels''' (Avante 2200 Combatant) are a class of ocean patrol vessels or POVZEE (Spanish: ''Patrullero Oceánico de Vigilancia de la Zona Económica Exclusiva'') in Venezuelan Navy service. The lead ship were originally intended to have the pennant F-31 and name of ''Guaicaipuro'' but has since been renumbered.
Design The POVZEE vessels feature stealth technology with reduced radar and infrared signatures as well as special design to minimize the propulsion system's noise emissions and vibrations. An aft hangar and flight deck enables operation of a single rotary-wing aircraft. The ship carries two small semi-rigid boats RHIB for rescue and transport purposes.The first ship, ''Guaiquerí'' was launched by Spanish state-owned shipbuilder, Navantia, at their Cadiz shipyard on 24 June 2009.On 3 August 2012, ''Warao'' grounded on a reef off Fortaleza, Brazil when arriving for the joint exercise "VenBras-2012" with the Brazilian Navy. She was assisted by sister ''Kariña'' and refloated by Brazilian tugboats. The hull and propulsion system were heavily damaged and it was decided to repair her in Brazil with assistance from Navantia. In March 2013 she arrived at the naval dockyard at Rio de Janeiro aboard Dutch heavy-lift dock ''Rolldock Sea''.On 31 March 2016, the accidental discharge of a cannon on ''Guaiquerí'' left at least one dead and six injured.
Ships of class  Name Pennant Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate ''Guaiquerí'' PC-21 11 September 2008 24 June 2009 14 April 2011 ''Warao'' PC-22 12 May 2009 3 November 2009  August 2011 out of service after grounding incident in 2012. ''Yekuana'' PC-23 22 September 2009 1 March 2010 9 December 2011 ''Kariña'' PC-24 17 February 2010  January 2012
References
External links *  Deagel POVZEE*  POVZEE Offshore Patrol Vessel*  Navantia Launches and Commissions Two OPVs to Venezuelan Navy