Maritime Action Ship ‘Meteoro’, homeported in Las Palmas (the Canary Islands), departed on deployment on July 15 to participate in counter-piracy operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean. The farewell ceremony was presided over by the Flag Officer of the Canary Islands Naval Command Gregorio Bueno Murga.
‘Meteoro’ is the third ship of her class to participate in operation ‘Atalanta’, an EU mission fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean and protecting merchant ships and trawlers fishing in the area.
The ship will integrate in the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) on August 6th relieving the FFG frigate ‘Numancia’. The ‘Meteoro’ will stay four months in the area of operations.
The ship is under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Juan Carlos Pérez Guerrero. Her complement consists of 86 people: 51 crew members, 17 Air Unit personnel in support of the SH-60B helicopter, a 16-strong special operations detachment, a doctor and an interpreter.
‘Meteoro’ is the first ship of her series. The BAM concept integrates a state-of-the-art multi-purpose offshore patrol boat with reduced maintenance and production costs, capable of operating not only in military missions, but also in search and rescue (SAR) operations, humanitarian aid, evacuations and fight against sea pollution.
[mappress] Press Release, July 22, 2013; Image: Spanish Navy