During their counter-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia, Spanish marines and sailors from Operation Atalanta’s warship, ESPS Relampago, took the opportunity to train with AMISOM’s marine unit close to the port of Mogadishu.

The training included briefings and exercises on boat handling, search and rescue, first aid and boarding a vessel at sea that is suspected of being involved in piracy.

 Maritime training with regional partners, such as AMISOM, is an extremely important aspect of Operation Atalanta’s work to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia.  The aim is to strengthen cooperation and increase the capability and capacity of regional maritime forces to help seafarers stay safe during their transits across the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

During the training ESPS Relampago’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Francisco Garcia Flores, was delighted to welcome on board EUTM Somalia’s mission commander, Brigadier General Maurizio Morena and EUCAP Nestor police adviser, Mr Jos Van Thof.