BAM 'Meteoro' calls at Douala port during her deployment

•  The offshore patrol vessel 'Meteoro' has called at the port of Douala (Cameroon) during its deployment in Coordinated Maritime Presences deployment, Gulf of Guinea.

The offshore patrol vessel (BAM) 'Meteoro' calls at the Cameroonian port of Douala, as part of the deployment of the Coordinated Maritime Presence - Gulf of Guinea (CMP-GoG).

Upon her arrival in Douala, the 'Meteoro' received the Spanish ambassador to Cameroon, Ignacio Rafael García Lumbreras, who, after welcoming a representation of the crew on the flight deck, proceeded to sign the book of honor.

Afterwards, the ambassador addressed the crew members on the flight deck and visited the ship's facilities. During the visit, he was given a detailed explanation of the mission and objectives of the BAM deployment in the region.

Visits

The Spanish ambassador to Cameroon, the second of the Embassy and the honorary consul of Spain in Douala, joined by a delegation of the crew of the 'Meteoro', have visited various local authorities and military institutions of the country. Such as, the governor of the coastal region of Cameroon, the mayor of the city of Douala, the president of the Regional Council (coastal region) and the minister delegate responsible for the branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Douala (Antenne MINREX).

The Ambassador also visited the Brigadier General Chief of the Second Inter-Army Military Region (RMIA2) and the General Chief of the National Gendarmerie in the region, as well as the Chief of the Douala Naval Base (BAND) and the Chief of the Surface Forces of the Cameroon National Navy (PC FORSUR).

The ambassador also visited the facilities of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Center (MMCC) of the “Delta” region of the Yaounde Architecture, located in Douala and managed by the Cameroon Navy.

In addition, a 'Meteoro' delegation went to Yaoundé to visit the facilities of the International Coordination Center (ICC), in charge of coordinating the various operational units that make up the Yaoundé Architecture.

Defense Diplomacy Activities

On the other hand, civilian and military representatives of the region have met in a round table in which they have talked about the military cooperation of the European Union in the Gulf of Guinea to support maritime security through the Coordinated Maritime Presences. The Spanish ambassador in Cameroon, the commander of the 'Meteoro', the deputy of the European Embassy in Cameroon and the head of communication of the Cameroonian Ministry of Defense took part in the meeting.

Following the round table, and after a solemn flag lowering, a reception was held on board the 'Meteoro', attended by local civilian and military representatives and authorities.

In addition, the Douala naval base organized a reception at its facilities, which was attended by more than 30 members of the 'Meteoro' crew. This reception was an opportunity for fraternization between members of both institutions.

Military Cooperation Activities

A Military Cooperation Activity (MCA) on access control and port security was carried out between members of the Operational Security Team (EOS) of the 'Meteoro' and members of the Cameroon National Navy. Also, during the stopover of the 'Meteoro' in Douala, other MCAs were carried out on internal security, engine maintenance and a theoretical diving lesson.

Civic-Military Cooperation Activities

The Cultural Advisor of the Spanish Embassy in Cameroon and the Honorary Consul of Spain in Douala made a donation of books and an encyclopedia, transported by the 'Meteoro', to the Department of Hispanic Philology of the University of Douala.

At the same time, the Spanish Ambassador to Cameroon made a second donation of Spanish books transported by the 'Meteoro' to the students of a Yaounde school.