ESPS PATIÑO HANDS OVER COUNTER-PIRACY DUTIES TO ESPS METEORO

Apr 24, 2018 - 11:25
On 21st April EU NAVFOR Spanish warship ESPS Patiño left the Somali Basin and began the long journey home following a successful five months as part of the Operation Atalanta counter-piracy operation.

Patiño has been patrolling around the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden since joining EU NAVFOR in December 2017, maintaining an ongoing presence in the region to protect World Food Program, AMISOM, and other vulnerable shipping by deterring and disrupting pirate activity.

As a replenishment oiler of the Spanish Navy, ESPS Patiño has been invaluable in providing a steady stream of fuel, water and supplies to regional partners, including warships from EU NAVFOR and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). One example of this was Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Alamgir, on counter-piracy duties with Combined Task Force 151 (CTF151), receiving her fuel and water during a Replenishment at Sea (RAS).

Patiño has also conducted surveillance and reconnaisance operations with its Seahawk SH60B helicopter, trained local maritime security forces in core maritime skills, provided medical assistance and evacuation to mariners in distress and conducted friendly approaches of local fishing vessels, showing the versatility of this multi-role warship.

These activities all contribute to the maritime security of the region, and Patiño’s continued cooperation, collaboration and coordination with local and international partners in the region. This has included independent deploying nations such as India and China, which is vital to ensure the free flow of international trade.

EU NAVFOR thanks ESPS Patiño for its diligence and vigilance during its time on Op Atalanta as it hands over its counter-piracy duties to Spanish warship ESPS Meteoro.

Metereo is a BAM (Buques de de Acción Marítima – Maritime Action Ship) and has operated previously as part of Op Atalanta in 2013 and 2015. She is a multi-role oceanic patrol boat, combining high performance with mission versatility, capable of conducting escort duties, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, patrolling and interdiction. Metereo will continue the EU NAVFOR mission to deter attempts of piracy or armed robbery at sea.

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