The BAM ‘Relámpago’ calls at the port of Dakar during its navigation in African waters

• Within the framework of Coordinated Maritime Presences on the West Coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, the ship has carried out cooperation and diplomacy activities with Senegalese civilian and military institutions

The Maritime Action Ship (BAM) ‘Relámpago’ has entered the port of Dakar, Senegal, during its deployment in the European Union's Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP) initiative on the West Coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, where it has carried out various operational activities of bilateral cooperation, as well as diplomatic activities.

During this stopover in the African country, the ship and its crew carried out joint training exercises both in port and at sea. Among others, the activities focused on the handling of counter-drone measures (C-UAS), the use of weapons in anti-piracy operations, diving activities and first aid practices.

The BAM ‘Relámpago’ has carried out a PASSEX type joint training exercise with the ship ‘Niani’ of the Senegalese Navy. This activity reinforced interoperability and mutual understanding through coordinated manoeuvres at sea. As part of the exercise, both ships paid mutual honours to each other, symbolising the mutual respect and willingness to cooperate between the two navies.

Receptions on board

On the other hand, during its stopover in Dakar, the BAM ‘Relámpago’ received on board the Spanish Ambassador in Senegal, Mª Dolores Ríos Peset, the second head of the Spanish Embassy, Esther Martín Padrón, the first secretary of the Spanish Embassy, Juan Fábregas Claramunt, the Defence Advisor of the Spanish Embassy, Colonel Fernando Lechuga Pueyo, the Interior Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Jiménez Ortigosa, and the liaison officer for Cooperative Security Activities (ASC) in Senegal, Commander Guillermo Reguilón Vázquez.

On arrival, honours were paid, in accordance with the Navy's customs and traditions; and, after boarding, the ambassador dedicated a few words of recognition and welcome to the crew, who were formed on the flight deck. During her visit, the Spanish diplomatic representation was shown the main areas of the ship.

Days later, other Spanish military authorities and representatives from various countries such as Canada, France and Senegal, among others, were received on board. During the ceremony, the ship's commander and the second authority of the Spanish Embassy addressed words of welcome, in which both stressed the importance of international cooperation and Spain's commitment to maritime security in this African region.

Visits in Dakar

On the other hand, the crew of the BAM ‘Relámpago’ attended a fraternisation event at the official residence of the Spanish Embassy in Senegal. They also visited the orphanage ‘Le Pouponnèrie’, where the sailors delivered material for the children, including nappies, powdered milk, hygiene products and other basic necessities. Several members of the BAM ‘Relámpago’ also carried out maintenance work, focusing on the repair and replacement of mosquito nets in the bedrooms and common areas of this children's centre.

EU Coordinated Maritime Presences (CMPs)

This deployment of the BAM ‘Relámpago’ makes a decisive contribution to strengthening the European Union's Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP) initiative on the West Coast of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea as an effective instrument for improving maritime security in the area, and advancing in the cooperation between the EU and the West and Central African states. Since 2012, Spain, as a partner fully committed to European security and defence, has been one of the main contributors to this European initiative.