FOURTH NAVAL DISTRICT “TITICACA”

AND ITS DEPENDENT UNITS

1. District Command
a. “Tiquina” Naval Base
b. Captaincy of Puerto Mayor “San Pedro de Tiquina” c. Captaincy
of Puerto Menor “San Pablo de Tiquina” d. Military Police Battalion
e. High Altitude Diving Instruction Center
2. VI Marine Infantry Battalion “Independence”
3. Captaincy of Puerto Menor “Huatajata”
4. Captaincy of Puerto Mayor “Guaqui”
5. “Copacabana” Naval Base
to. Captaincy of Puerto Menor “Copacabana”
6. Marine Infantry Battalion IV “Alliance”
a. Captaincy of Puerto Menor “Chaguaya”
b. Amphibious Command Training Center.
 TITICACA LAKE

Lake Titicaca is formed by two basins, a larger one called Lago Mayor
or Chucuito and a smaller one called Lago Menor or Huiñaymarca
that are connected by the geological threshold called Strait of Tiquina,
this physical phenomenon represents the main characteristic of this
mass of water.

The maximum depths can be found in Bolivian territory in the

northeastern sector of Campanario Island, located in Lake Mayor,
where it reaches 275 m deep; In the Tiquina Strait on the imaginary
line that joins the San Pablo and San Pedro docks, the maximum
depth determined is 36 m.

Lake Titicaca, despite its altitude and enormous volume of water,

does not present significant tides; The difference in simultaneous
readings between geographically opposite stations is due more to
meteorological factors (wind) and curvature of the earth than to
Lunisolar attraction.

Lake Titicaca is practically an inland sea and due to its characteristics

it is the highest navigable lake in the world; It is located in the northern
part of the Bolivian altiplano and its main axis is oriented in the
northwest – southeast line. Its main characteristics can be seen in the
following table:

Characteristics of Lake Titicaca

Characteristic Lake Maggiore Minor Lake

Maximum length 130 km 30 km
Maximum Width 68 km 58 km
Max deep 275 m 49 m
Medium Depth 135 m 23 m
Surface 6.642 m² 1.388 Km²
Volume 8.966*10
11
m 3
3.192*10 10
m 3

Height snmm 3.808,659 m 3.808,659 m

Total area 8,030 km²

kani

TITICACA LAKE
Achacachi

X'j.ni
tLake
Hutñaymarca

Gulf of

1
Taraco Pio Tiahuanqc

Expe
nsive.
Flotilla of the Fourth Naval District “Titicaca” in patrol formation through the Tiquina Strait.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Once the River and Lake Force was consolidated, one of the historical antecedents that gave rise to the Fourth Naval
District “Titicaca” was the creation of Naval Units, particularly in eastern Bolivia, specifically in the cities of
Riberalta, Trinidad and Guayaramerín; The Command of that new Force, seeing the need to have a Naval Support
Unit close to the Government Headquarters, wisely selected the Lake Titicaca sector, specifically in the “Tiquina”
Strait.
Through memorandum No. 74/65 of June 8, 1965, Lieutenant Felix Mendiola Galarza was assigned in the company
of Sergeant Pacifico Cata Torres and 27 sailors, docking on Wednesday, June 9, and settling in the abandoned
former prefectural hotel, beginning the real occupation. and formal of the future Naval District.
On October 8, 1965, in the town of San Pedro de Tiquina, the “Tiquina” Port Captaincy was founded, with the
following personnel:

1. TN. Oscar Pammo Rodríguez Harbor Master

2. TF. Felix Mendiola Galarza Instructor
3. SOF. Pacific Cata Bricklayer
4. SGTO. Fernando Valero Instructor
5. 15 sailors

By order of the Armed Forces of the Nation No. 04/66 of October 8, 1966, the IV Lacustrine Battalion “Alianza”
was created, in tribute to the hero of the Pacific War. Adm. Miguel Grau Seminario being the first commander of the
TN. Oscar Pammo Rodriguez and on October 8, 1968, by general order of the Bolivian Naval Force, the Fourth
Naval District “Titicaca” was created.
In 1968 the Tiquina Naval Base was created and Captain Santiago Maesse Roca was appointed Base Commander.
 Lieutenant Oscar Pammo Rodríguez First Commander of the Fourth
Naval District “Titicaca”

Command of the Fourth Naval District “Titicaca”, on the shores of the sacred lake (photo from 1965,
former Prefectural Hotel); the Lake Company with the typical Naval Rifleman uniform that consisted
of a sailor's headdress, black slang jacket and pants, white belt, combat boots and leggings.
Instructor staff.
TN. Oscar Pammo Rodríguez
Commander, TF. Rolando Herrera Alba
wearing the training uniform for the
Altiplano consisting of a white cap,
black jacket and pants, combat boots
and soft straps,

Swearing to the flag by

the sailors of the first
echelon category 1965

Military authorities entering the

training and work areas.

to
"
 Patrol boat docked in the District port,
ready to go sailing.

Patrol Boat 04, donated by the US Military

Group, fiberglass hull and jet propulsion,
armed with a Browning cal machine gun. .30

Surface units docked at the dock, you can see the “Julián Apaza” Hospital Ship, an artillery patrol boat and a
support boat
 Delivery of a modern Patrol
Boat.

Fairing of a patrol boat

 Flagging of the patrol
boat

Tactical navigation of
Surface Units.

Crossing the strait

aboard a patrol boat
Cadets from the Naval Military School practicing
sailing.

Sailing in a rustic boat

Surface units transporting

personnel to celebrate the
Anniversary of the Great
Unit.
 The vehicle transport boat
“Boliviamar” with its crew
docked in the port.

Dependencies of the Fourth

Naval District where the
Hospital Ship “Julian Apaza”
can be seen docked at the dock.

BAP Hospital Ship “Puno”

of the sister Republic of
Peru in coordination work
for the joint voyage with
the FNBH-01 “Julián
Apaza”
 The FNM-401 “Catamaran”,
transferred for safekeeping by
the National Directorate of
Civil Defense in February
1999.

The FNLP-410 “CN. Leonardo

Bretel", initially this patrol boat
provided services in the National
Customs with registration PA-06,
launched on April 22, 1977, in
1992 it was transferred to the
Bolivian Naval Force, to carry out
the respective patrols to repress
smuggling.
In the photograph you can see the
Boat providing support to the
Military Divers of the High
Altitude Diving Instruction
Center.

The FNLP-410 “CN Leonardo

Bretel”, performing a
 The FNLM-401 “Rodman”
was launched in February
1999, acquired by the Civil
Defense Directorate to help
victims of the floods on the
banks of Lake Titicaca, and
placed in the custody of the
Naval Force; In the
photograph he is leading the
parade of surface units to
celebrate “Sea Day”.

Arrival at the Port of San

Pedro de Tiquina of
competitors in the cycling
specialty.

FMAN

FNM-401 with its crew

ready to set sail.
Return of the Flotilla after
having completed the Sailor
Training.

FNLP-409 with its crew

docked at the dock.
FNLM-401 preparing to set sail
in logistical support navigation,
heading to Lake Menor.
This vessel was launched on
February 25, 1999, acquired
through the National Directorate
of Civil Defense with the aim of
helping victims of the floods on
the banks of Lake Titicaca, and
transferred for safekeeping to the
Bolivian Naval Force.
 Sailor of the Captaincy of
Port controlling the proper
use of life jackets by tourists.

Front of the Captaincy of

Puerto Mayor “Tiquina”
located in the town of San
Pedro de Tiquina, created on
October 8, 1965, under the
command of the TF. Felix
Mendiola Galarza, first Port
Captain.

Captaincy of Puerto Menor in

San Pablo de Tiquina, which
provides services to the
general population and tourists
in the Tiquina Strait who travel
to the city of Copacabana.
Patrol Boat and Boat of
support for patrol and of
assistance tasks. of

Infrastructure and port, housing and

operational facilities.

CAPITALITY OF PUERTO MAYOR "GUAQUI"

The Captaincy of Puerto
Mayor Guaqui was created
by DS of April 29, 1903 and
by Law of the Republic of
November 13, 1903 it was
elevated to the category of
Puerto Mayor; By DS No.
07384 of the FFL of October
15, 1965 was created to
control the transportation of
minerals loaded on the
Peruvian transports Inca and
Ollanta from the Guaqui
railway terminal to the city of
Puno (Peru).
 Captaincy of Puerto Mayor
Chaguaya, created by Supreme
Decree No. 06931 of September
17, 1969, built by the Canadian
Company that owns the Matilde
Mine in 1968, with the mission
of controlling the transportation
of minerals to Peru via Lake.
Being the TF. Oscar Pammo
Rodríguez first Port Captain.

Port terminal.

FNM-402 “Catamaran” ready to

set sail and patrol the area of its
jurisdiction.
The Port Captaincy of the Menor
“Huatajata” was created on August 18,
1982, the infrastructure was transferred
by the Bolivian Baptist Union to the
Bolivian Naval Force, currently the
offices of the Port Captaincy operate,
Housing for the cadre personnel, sole
for sailors and support for the
Community. Initial Sergeant at Arms
Ñuflo Chávez Vaca was the first Port
Captain.

Light Surface Unit (Huiñaymarca FNB

-418) docked at Puerto Crillon Tours,
it provides Patrol, Assistance and
Support Services to the Community of
Huatajata and neighboring towns.

Buitre FNBF-403 glider

undergoing maintenance, after
routine patrol.
Copacabana Peninsula where the Sanctuary of the Morena Virgin is located and the seat of the “Copacabana” Naval Base; The Minor Port
Captaincy was created by Special Order of the FNB No. 18/66 of June 2, 1966. (photography -Willy Kenning)
 FNLP-411 “TN. Soliz”, which initially
had the name Patrol Boat PA-07
dependent on the National Customs,
which, like other vessels, was transferred
to the Bolivian Naval Force, assigning it
the name it currently has.
Patrol Boat belonging to this Unit.

FNLP-410 “CN. Leonardo Bretel”

patrolling the Copacabana
peninsula.
 “JULIAN APAZA” HOSPITAL BOAT

Mr. Admiral Xavier Pinto Tellería, commander of the Bolivian Naval Force, on the occasion of a
visit to the United States of North America, carried out procedures for this country to donate a
Surface Unit that navigates Lake Titicaca providing support in Medicine General and Dentistry to
the riverside residents. The United States Navy, at the end of 1971, decided to donate a pre-built
Hospital Ship; In February 1972, a group of North American technicians called “Sea-Bees” arrived
in the country, settling in the town of Chaguaya, taking advantage of the port facilities of the Matilde
Mine to assemble the parts of the Hospital Ship.
After six months of intense work by North American and Bolivian technicians, on September 17,
1972, the AH-01 “Julián Apaza” was launched.
Admiral Xavier Pinto Telleria and officers inspecting the work of the American and Bolivian technicians
during assembly.

Bolivian technician welding the parts of the Helmet.

Launch and first crossing of the AH-01 “Julian Apaza” September 17, 1972

Setting sail towards Lake Mayor

or Chucuito on the journey of
medical, dental and laboratory
assistance to the lake
communities.
The FNBH “Julian Apaza” in the Suriqui town.
VI “Independencia” Marine Infantry Battalion based in the town of Chúa Cocani, Omasuyos province, 70 kilometers along the La Paz – Tiquina –
Copacabana highway
Brief historical review. On December 9, 1981 and by superior orders, three companies of the BIM IV “Alianza” settled in the town of Tiquina and
under the command of the CC. DEMN. Jaime Paredes Sempertegui, moved to the town of Chua Cocani to take initial and definitive possession of the
barracks facilities built for this purpose.
Pioneers - founders standing from left to right: SGI. Mario Barberi Bejarano, SGI. Mario Romero Peñalosa, SGI. Manuel Soleto Delgado, SGI.
Franklin Lazcano Glasinovich, SOF. Hurtado, Dr. Alf.San. Ruben Zalles Medrano, SG1. Pedro Salamanca, SG2. Rodolfo Vargas Rios, SOFINC. Kalo
Vargas Rios, SG2.SERV. Juan Torcuato Salazar.
Seated from left to right: Alf. Gustavo Millan Aguayo (+), Alf. Dixon Valdivia del Castillo (carries a falcon named Turok on his right arm), Alf.
Gilberto Gutiérrez Negrete, TF. Gerónimo Pereira Zapata, CC. DEMN. Jaime Paredes Sempertegui (Commander), SOF.MYR. Mario Velasco (First
Battalion), Alf. Juan Rocha Rosquellas, Alf. Carlos Aue de Barneville and Alf. Jorge Pérez Lima.
 getting ready
The three companies of for
disembark
marines in the courtyard
of honor of what would later
be called BIM VI
“Independencia”

Part of the
infrastructure where you
hiN *26
can see the three
solted and others
facilities.

The three companies in

initial organizational
formation.
Monument to the Marine Corps with the Maritime Claim Flag.

DISCIPLINE LOYALTY
VALUE COURAGE

Sentinel fulfilling his duty

based on Discipline,
Courage, Loyalty and
Courage.

BIM interior avenue.

 WELCOME
PDLIGDN
S DE Waiting instructions.
Sharpening the aim.

. eb'i

■-

thtu 9

At one hundred meters the

shots will be precise.
 g'

Ideal sniper position

I l

All the whites were shot

down.

t“
The fire discipline distributed by
shooting sectors.

66)
BIM IV “ALIANZA” facilities in the town of Chaguaya on the shores of Lake Titicaca
 Main Entry to BIM IV “Alianza”; created by Order
of the Armed Forces No. 04/66 on October 8, 1966
during the presidency of General. Div. Alfredo
Ovando Candia with seat in the town of San Pedro
de Tiquina. In 1987, the Command of the Fourth
Naval District “Titicaca” assigned a fraction of the
Alianza Battalion to the town of Chaguaya, with
the purpose of providing security to the Former
Matilde Mine Camp belonging to COMIBOL; On
June 24, 1988, the troops moved to these facilities,
and in October the Battalion Command took
possession.
It is located in the town of Chaguaya, Camacho
Province, 180 km away. from the Government
Headquarters, at 3800 meters above sea level Its
coordinates are: Lat. 15° 47' 40'' South and Long.
69° 02' 26'' West. Anniversary Date May 26.

Battalion Command
Infrastructure

Courtyard of Honor and

instruction areas.
 Support section waiting
for instructions.

Taking positions.

Part of a patrol verifying the

situation of the border milestone
with Peru.

Border Marker Control carried out by BIM staff IV “Alliance”

 The formation wedged,
allows deeply penetrate
the lines
enemies.

The inverted wedge protects

the flanks.

WEA

>1, cu
See-
du
-ap”

The approach training

support company.
 N3dbdu
lAeee

Machine guns sweep a large

firing range.

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60 mm mortar. In
harassment.

The machine gun firing

bursts of death.
Having identified terrorism as a
potential enemy in peaceful coexistence
and national security, it was seen as
convenient to organize an Elite Unit
whose combat capacity is parallel to the
Green Berets, Colombian Lancers, or
Peruvian Sinchis, with immediate
reaction and lethal results; With this
vision, the Bolivian Naval Force created
the Amphibious Command Training
Center (CICA), through resolution No.
010/2001 of July 2, 2001, assigning this
great responsibility in the preparation
and execution of the project to Mr.
CC.DEMN. Reynaldo Pinnola León.
The facilities are located in the IV
“Alianza” Marine Infantry Battalion in
the town of Chaguaya.
Faceless personnel carrying out pistol
shooting instruction
 Select group of students receiving
precise orders to face the
demanding, tough and disciplined
sniper training

The inclemencies of time not They constitute a problem for these steel combatants.
 Comprehensive instruction is
constitutes the vital part of
these commands; this
mighty watercourse
tests acquired knowledge. the

The commando must prepare his

body and spirit to face adverse
conditions; A student can be seen
immersion in icy waters at 8° C. for
30 minutes.
 Amphibious Commandos in
insertion-extraction practices,
demonstrating the excellence
of the instruction.

Tactical survival at the beginning

of the valley or foot of the
2*28-
mountain.

■ ■■I YO. 01 1

L wi
*5M,%2 b '; "2-
pFgglan 3 •

Long periods of floating in mighty

rivers in eastern Bolivia require a lot
of determination and endurance.

Teh

PROTECTION AGAINST ENEMY AIRCRAFT

 North American Green
Beret commandos share
with CICA students.

Vertical platform descent

After a year of hard instruction,

these brave students receive their
Amphibious Command brief and
diploma to the pride of the Bolivian
Naval Force.
 OE CENTER OE INSTRUCTION UCEO EN

On October 6, 1999, the Command in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Nation, through Resolution 369/99, officially created the High Altitude
Diving course “CN.DEMN. Jorge Villarroel Llanos” with headquarters in the Fourth Naval District “Titicaca”. Anniversary date April 12
 missio
n

aunt

•ORTIVE

High Altitude Diving Course Instructors posing for posterity.

Team of CIBA students with their commander.

 High Altitude Diving Instruction
Center Facilities.

in
and

Instructors and students magazine of excellence ready for immersion.

The tradition of the “Toque de

Campana” as a voluntary
DIVING ACTIVITIESgb
decision to abandon the CIBA
course.
 Instructors getting ready
for the operations plan on
a sand table, before
carrying out an
amphibious
reconnaissance.

Instructors verifying the

schematic plan, about the
decompression stops that
are
will perform during a
immersion 60 feet deep.

Students moving the

Zodiac boat as part of the
instruction.
Instructors and students preparing for the immersion thirty meters deep.
 Heading to the operations
area.

Returning after a successful dive.

Ready to dock, signaling that
everything went well.
 Student performing
confidence jump.

Tactical diver executing the immersion jump fifteen feet deep to carry out maintenance work on the underside
of a vessel.

e=-. e -- • 2jz--t= -

tgsg-f —Ee
-:

Diver with neoprene

equipment executing
diving jump.
Tactical diver sixty feet deep on the Khoa Reef, Isla del Sol of Lake Titicaca.
Instructor repairing a water pump in the Tiquina Strait.