A 23m surveillance and monitoring research vessel designed by E.Y.E. for the Republic of Venezuela, the 'El Bergantin' was built at Hike Metal Shipyard in Wheatley, Ont. and launched in April, 1995. The vessel is a modern planing hull form of aluminum construction with a top speed exceeding 20 knots. The vessel, although built for a foreign owner, was required to meet the full requirements of the Canadian Coast Guard with respect to safety, construction, machinery and stability. The vessel has accommodation for a crew of eight including a laboratory assistant/ scientist.