Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Esmeralda

A crew member aboard the 'Esmeralda', currently docked in Talcahuano, tested positive for COVID-19. This development was officially reported by Rear Admiral Carlos Huber, the chief of defense for the region. The vessel made its arrival on June 16, 2020, to undertake essential maintenance operations expected to last for 15 days. In light of the infection, a thorough epidemiological investigation is underway to identify and assess close contacts of the infected crew member. Though the ship is slated to return to Valparaíso upon completion of the maintenance work, the schedule might be affected as the commune remains under quarantine restrictions.

The arrival of the Chilean naval ship Esmeralda in Sydney Harbour has ignited demonstrations led by the Chilean-Australian community, who are calling for its removal from service due to its dark past. The four-masted tall ship, measuring nearly 400 feet, is currently docked at Garden Island as it embarks on its 61st training cruise. Designed as a sail training vessel for the Chilean navy, Esmeralda holds a national significance for Chile and operates for about six months annually on global voyages. Its previous visit to Sydney took place in 2012. However, protests have erupted following disclosures in various human rights reports highlighting the ship's role in detaining victims during the Augusto Pinochet regime in September 1973. The Esmeralda's visit has undeniably stirred up emotional responses and calls for accountability regarding its historical legacy.

On July 15, the Chilean Navy's training vessel, Esmeralda (IMO 8642799), made its way into the Pacific port of Vasco Núñez de Balboa in Panama City, as part of a cultural expedition across several Latin American nations. According to Vladimir Rodríguez, a spokesperson for the National Aeronaval Service, the ship's crew includes 333 personnel, comprising naval cadets and officers from the Chilean Navy, Army, and Air Force, who are set to engage in an official agenda in Panama. Among the planned activities, they will pay tribute with a floral offering at the monument dedicated to Panama's first president, Manuel Amador Guerrero. Furthermore, the Esmeralda crew will honor Chile's naval hero, Commander Arturo Prat, at his monument situated in the historic area of Panama City's heart. This visit reinforces the maritime ties between Chile and Panama while showcasing naval tradition and regional cooperation.