The Atlantic narco-submarine scene is intensifying. On August 27 Spanish police, once again, captured a completely new type drug smuggling vessel. It is only the third so-called ‘narco sub’ found in Spain, but like the previous two it is particularly unusual. Spanish smugglers do things their own way, creating very different vessels than their Latin American counterparts. This new type is known locally as a Ghost Glider (planeadora fantasma).
Looks can be deceiving. The white paint and 'Climax-II' markings appear to hide a custom-built ... [+]
So-called narco submarines are purpose designed boats intended to hide low in the water to avoid detection. Very few can actually submerge, but the name fits. This one appears to be a hybrid of what we call a Low Profile Vessel (LPV) and a traditional go-fast vessel (GFV). It doesn’t appear to sit as low in the water as most others, but has other trappings of narco-subs, notably the custom deck and cockpit. These can be seen in this photo gallery by the Faro de Vigo (in Spanish).
Planeadora fantasma (Ghost Glider) is a term which is also used for high speed narco boats in Spain. Planeadora can mean speedboat. Some of the drug running ones in Spain are massive and can be powered by up to seven outboard motors. Although this one has at least two water jets it seems to emphasize endurance and sea keeping.
A distinctive feature is the tubular collar running along the side. This is normally associated with a RIB (rigid inflatable boat). But
it is still unclear whether it is a real RIB or whether the collar is in fact part of a ballast system. If so, from an engineering perspective, this would make it more sophisticated than the vast majority of narco submarines facing the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard in the Pacific. Several ‘submersible boats’ used by Special Forces use a RIB basis but use the inflatable collar as part of the ballast system however.
The paint scheme of the craft is deceptive. Its white pain scheme with “Climax II” emblazoned on the sides belies its stealthy design. Possibly this is intended to look innocent. Evidently the ruse did not work on Spanish police.
We can assess that it was built locally in great secrecy. It appears to have been intended to pick up the drugs, likely cocaine, from a vessel offshore. It would then bring the cargo to Spanish shores. No drugs were found but there is little doubt about its involved in drug smuggling. Two crew, one reportedly from Latin America, where the drugs come from, tried to escape. They were both caught.
To date, all three Spanish Narco Submarines have been found in Galicia in the north of the country. The first was a true submarine, found near the City of Vigo in 2006. The second made headlines in November 2019 after it was discovered after a trip all the way across the Atlantic. That vessel, although interesting in its own right, was made in Colombia to the normal LPV model. This Ghost Glider is the third.
We are still learning about this new craft, and how it fits into the wider narco submarine picture. Despite its innocent looks however, it is a fascinating artisan construction.
