Name Constituição Operator Brazilian Navy Commissioned 31 March 1978 Length 129 m Draft 5.5 m | Namesake Constitution of Brazil Christened 13 March 1974 Homeport Rio de Janeiro Launched 15 April 1976 Builder VT Group | |
 | ||
The F Constituição (F42) is a Niteroi class frigate of the Brazilian Navy. The Constituição was the fourth Niterói class frigate ordered by the Brazilian Navy, on 20 September 1970. The Constituição was launched on 15 April 1976, and was commissioned on 31 March 1978.
History
In June 2009, the F Constituição (F42) participated in the recovery mission for the wreckage of Air France Flight 447.
On the 20th of February, 2010, the Constituição brought 12 students, faculty, and crew of the SV Concordia ashore after they were initially rescued by merchant vessels. The Concordia, a tall ship floating classroom operated by the West Island College International's Class Afloat program, was abandoned approximately 300 nautical miles (560 km) south east of Rio de Janeiro with all 64 people aboard making it to life rafts. The remaining 52 students, faculty, and crew were to be transferred from merchant vessels to the Constituição and another Brazilian frigate, but weather and other concerns prevented that.