Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Relámpago’ in Alexandria.

The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ‘Relámpago’ called at the port of Alexandria (Egypt) in transit towards the Indian Ocean to integrate into the counter-piracy Operation ‘Atalanta’. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between both countries, particularly in naval aspects.

The Spanish OPV has a complement of 80 people including the air unit support personnel and a Marine Corps security team. The port call lasted two days. Alexandria is the main Egyptian Naval Base in the Mediterranean Sea.

The ‘Relámpago’ welcomed the Spanish Ambassador to Egypt Mr. Ramón Gil-Casares on the 25th who signed in the ship’s Guest Book and was shown around the ship explaining her capabilities. There were also courtesy and exchange visits with members of the Egyptian Navy.

A joint exercise was later conducted at sea with the Egyptian fast patrol boat ‘Suleiman Ezzat’ in order to test and train in tactical naval procedures, manoeuvers, navigation and communications.