The offshore patrol vessel ‘Vencedora’ concludes her deployment in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea

The offshore patrol vessel ‘Vencedora’ has just returned to Cartagena after a three-month deployment in the Gulf of Guinea and the West African coast.

During her mission, the ship integrated into the operational structure of the Armed Forces under the command of the Maritime Security and Surveillance Center. The OPV was welcomed by the Maritime Action Commander, VA Salvador Delgado and other military authorities, as well as friends and family members of the ship’s company.

The ship visited different port in Gabon, Ghana, Senegal, Cape Verde, Mauritania and Morocco, conducting cooperative and collaboration activities related to Maritime Security operations. The ‘Vencedora’ also took part in two ‘Africa Partnership Station’ multinational exercises: ‘Obangame Express’ and ‘Saharan Express’.

These exercises were focused on shipping control, illegal fishing and illegal trafficking of weapons and drugs.

During a port of call in Dakar, the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, visited the ship accompanied the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the Defense Staff, coinciding with a scheduled visit to the Spanish troops deployed in Mali and Senegal.

A charity event was also organized in Mauritania. The Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul were given food, medicines and toys which had been collected in Spain by crew members before their departure.

After more than 12,400 nautical miles, the ‘Vencedora’ finally completed her 97-day deployment.