Spanish Patrol vessel 'Vigia' rescues two people on the Alboran Sea

·       The patrol ship is integrated within the Maritime Surveillance and Security Command, under the operational control of the MOPS

Navy patrol ship 'Vigia' has found out a kayak with two people on board north of Cape Tres Forcas (Morocco) on the night of July 3rd. The kayak  was drifting away since June 29th, according to the rescued men.

The patrol ship 'Vigia' approached the kayak to check the state of the two men on board. They were provided with food and water. Later, both persons, of Moroccan nationality, embarked on board the patrol boat.

In the vicinity of Melilla, they were transferred to a Sea Rescue boat. During the rescue, all health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic were followed.

ABOUT THE DEEP-SEA PATROL VESSEL "VIGIA"

The deep-sea patrol vessel "Vigía", with side number P-73, is the third of the four vessels that make up the 'Serviola' class. It was built in Ferrol by Navantia and was delivered to the Navy on 23 March 1993.

Since it was delivered to the Navy, the 'Vigía' has spent more than 2,722 days at sea and has sailed more than 400,000 nautical miles. It has participated in deployments beyond our borders, being particularly relevant the participation in the so-called "halibut war" in 1995, the apprehension of a ship with a cargo of hashish in 2010 and the deployment in the Gulf of Guinea in 2017.

Its main mission is maritime surveillance and security, contributing to our nation's security on our waters of sovereignty within the framework of the Armed Forces' permanent operations.