Over the past few weeks, the EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Navarra, has carried out several friendly approaches to fishing dhows off the northern coast of Somalia.

After sighting several fishing dhows, the Spanish frigate established communications with the masters. After a short conversation, the Masters invited the sailors on board.

After the meeting, which helps to strengthen trust and cooperation between counter-piracy forces and local seafarers, the team from ESPS Navarra returned to their warship.

The Spanish frigate’s deployment with Operation Atalanta will shortly end and she will return home to Spain.  After operating for more than 5 months in the waters of the Somali Basin and the Indian Ocean, she will hand her duties to ESPS Rayo on 8th December.