Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Relámpago’ Calls at the Port of Sekondi During Deployment

• The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Relámpago’ (P-43)  has made a port call in this African harbour, conducting operational, cooperative, and diplomatic activities.

Since departing from the Naval Arsenal of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in February, the OPV Relámpago has been sailing along the West African coast and the Gulf of Guinea as part of the European Union’s Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP) initiative. Its most recent stop has been the port of Sekondi in Ghana, where it has engaged in various bilateral cooperation activities, as well as diplomatic engagements and exchanges of camaraderie. The Relámpago is now underway to its next port of call: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Joint Training Activities

During its stop in Ghana, the Relámpago conducted a series of joint training exercises with units from the Ghana Navy, both ashore and at sea. Notable among these were bilateral drills focused on boat handling and counter-drone measures, weapons handling in counter-piracy operations, internal security exercises, underwater environment activities, and first aid training. Ghanaian sailors were also introduced to the capabilities of the Airfox UAV M5D drone, which is part of the Spanish vessel’s onboard equipment.

Onboard Receptions

As part of its diplomatic agenda in Sekondi, the Relámpago welcomed aboard the Spanish Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, Ángel Lossada Torres-Quevedo. Upon arrival, the Ambassador was rendered honours in accordance with naval tradition, with a formal vocal salute. After boarding, he addressed the vessel’s company—formed on the flight deck—with words of recognition and a warm welcome to Ghana. During the visit, the Ambassador was briefed on the vessel’s readiness, its voyage to Sekondi, and future stops as part of the Coordinated Maritime Presences deployment along the West African coast and the Gulf of Guinea. He, then, signed the vessel’s Book of Honour, leaving a message of appreciation and pride at being aboard the Relámpago.

The OPV’s commanding officer also received Mr Joseph Nelson, Regional Minister of Sekondi, who toured the vessel’s principal systems and equipment, gaining insight into the platform’s operational and technical capabilities, and took the opportunity to engage with the crew. Later, Minister Nelson joined the Spanish  and other Ghanaian civil and military authorities at an official reception on board, concluding the day’s programme of diplomatic and bilateral engagements.

EU Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMP)

The deployment of the Relámpago makes a significant contribution to strengthening the European Union’s Coordinated Maritime Presences initiative in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. This initiative serves as an effective instrument to enhance maritime security in the region and to foster cooperation between the EU and the States of West and Central Africa. Since 2012, Spain, as a fully committed partner in European security and defence, has been one of the primary contributors to this EU initiative.