The patrol boat “Atalaya” cooperates with Senegal Armed Forces in Dakar

·       The patrol boat has executed several joint training exercises with the Navy of this African country

The patrol boat Atalaya has concluded its five day stopover in Dakar, Senegal, where it has performed Cooperative Security activities with the state navy, as well as activities that belong to the Defence Diplomacy Plan. The Port of Senegal is part of the third phase of the African Deployment, which the Spanish Army belongs to since mid-August.

Regarding protocol activities, the Commander had the opportunity of visiting the General Headquarters of the Senegalese Navy Staff and he received the visit of the Spanish ambassador in Senegal.

Taking advantage of the visit in the city of the ‘Marfil’ detachment of the Air Army, many visits to the patrol boat and to the facilities of the detachment were scheduled to promote mutual understanding.

With regard to training support activities, the 'Atalaya' crew has carried out several joint exercises with the local Navy, focusing on firefighting, port security and health. Previous conferences have been given and the main procedures followed by the Spanish Navy have been explained, in order to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Senegalese Armed Forces.

During the morning of the 23rd, to put and end to the visit in the city, the ship opened its doors, so the Spanish community of residents in Dakar could visit it.  

The “Atalaya” continues with its African Deployment, heading to its next stopover in Praia, Cape Verde. During this voyage, the Spanish Navy ship will continue executing Maritime Surveillance and Security tasks in Gulf of Guinea waters.

About the African Deployment Mission in Gulf of Guinea

Gulf of Guinea is a place where piracy and armed robbery can cause instability in global security.

The Armed Forces, under the command of the Defence Staff, accomplish this mission in order to show the activity and capacity of its ships as essential instruments for National Security, to defend our maritime interests in the area (fishing, maritime hydrocarbon traffic) and to contribute to conflict prevention in a particularly sensitive área.