The OPV ‘Relampago’ finishes stopover in Cameroon

• The vessel is taking part in a European Union Coordinated Maritime Presences deployment

The Maritime Action Ship (OPV) ‘Relampago’ is back at sea after a few days docked in the Cameroonian port of Douala. The Navy ship is sailing along the west coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, as part of the European Union's Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP).

During its stopover in Doula, it carried out various operational and institutional activities. On the first day in port, the Spanish ambassador to Cameroon, Ignacio Rafael García Lumbreras, was welcomed on board and signed the book of honour. The Spanish diplomat showed interest in technical details regarding the readiness of the ship as well as the navigation along the Wouri River or the next stops of the CMP mission in the region.

The Chief of Staff of the Cameroonian Navy, Rear Admiral Mendoua, also visited the Relampago. He embarked with his staff to witness a demonstration of the ship's capabilities. The visit was also attended by members of the Strategic Plans Department of the Naval General Staff and representatives of ‘Navantia’ and ‘Marine Instruments‘, who took part in the exhibition and subsequent discussion. The day ended with the ceremonial lowering of the flag at sunset, which was presided over by the Spanish Ambassador. This meeting  has provided an opportunity to strengthen institutional relations and cooperation in the field of maritime safety in the region.

The crew of the OPV ‘Relampago’ also had the opportunity to visit the Douala Naval Base and share their experiences with Cameroonian seafarers.

Civil-military activity

A delegation from the ship's crew, led by its commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Víctor Meijueiro Morado, has donated Spanish books to students at the University of Douala. This donation is the result of a book collection campaign in Almansa, that was coordinated by the local Adult Education Centre, and the efforts of Laura López Molina, a lecturer in Spanish language and culture at the University of Douala and an official of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Thanks to the collaboration of the Red Cross and the Air and Space Force, which transported the donation to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the ‘Relampago’ team was able to hand over these educational materials in a ceremony presided over by the rector of the University, Magloire Ondoa, and the Spanish ambassador to Cameroon. The support of the Spanish Embassy has been crucial for the donation of the books. Its efforts facilitated the coordination - led by the Operations Command - and made this cultural cooperation initiative possible.

 “Along with the satisfaction of bringing Spanish culture to the University of Cameroon, we took with us the affection and gratitude of the students," said Lieutenant Commander Meijueiro, "they enthusiastically received this contribution to their training, and they also had the opportunity to practise their Spanish with the sailors of the 'Relampago'; and we were all able to share experiences”.

Several cultural centres in Cameroon also received donations of books in Spanish. In the cultural centre of the Spanish Embassy and in the educational complex 'Loum-Ville' of the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, the Spanish military donated textbooks for children and the French Institute in Douala now has a Spanish section to promote our language and culture in Cameroon thanks to this donation from Spain.

Operational activities

Before leaving the country, the OPV 'Relampago' conducted a series of training exercises at sea in cooperation with the Cameroonian patrol vessels 'Dipikar' (P107) and 'Ebodje' (P111). The units carried out tactical evolutions to strengthen interoperability and improve coordination in maritime security scenarios. Communication exercises were also carried out to ensure the units' ability to communicate under different operational conditions.