The oceanic patrol vessel (BAM in its Spanish initials) ‘Relámpago’, currently participating in the European-led counter-piracy operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean, has provided medical assistance to a ‘dhow’-type fishing boat off the coast of Somalia.
The ‘Relámpago’ carried out a friendly approach or MSAV (maritime situational awareness visit) to the fishing boat as part of her counter-piracy mission, to ascertain that the ships sailing in the area are not involved in any illegal or criminal activities. These visits also serve to explain the EU operations in those waters.
