Patrol vessel 'Centinela' sets off on a maritime security operation in the south of the Iberian Peninsula

• P-72, integrated in the Maritime Operational Command, under the operational control of the Operations Command, will conduct a standing mission of the Armed Forces in the Strait of Gibraltar

Patrol boat "Centinela" will conduct maritime security operations in the off the coast of Cadiz sack as part of the Maritime Operational Command (MOM).

This trip will also involve collaboration with an AB-212 helicopter belonging to the third fleet aircraft squadron (FLOAN) based in Rota to improve its flight capacity and interoperability with other aircraft on air operations.

Likewise, another cooperation will be carried out with the Coastal Artillery Regiment (RACTA) No. 4 of the Army based in San Fernando to improve surveillance and control of the maritime space under national sovereignty in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Maritime Operational Command

The Maritime Operational Command (MOM) is the body within the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of Defence Staff (JEMAD in spanish), responsible for planning, conducting and monitoring surveillance and security operations in maritime areas of national sovereignty, responsibility and interest.

Operationally, a series of units and forces depend on the MOM, which can be expanded as the situation requires. These units and forces are not exclusively Navy units and forces, but include others from the Army and Air Force. The Commander of the Maritime Operational Command is the Admiral for Maritime Action (ALMART).

Permanent Operations

Permanent Operations are the most effective tool for maintaining knowledge of the areas of sovereignty over time, making it possible to detect threats in advance and facilitate an immediate and viable response to a crisis.

The Land (MOT), Maritime (MOM) and Aerospace (MOA) Operational Commands and the Joint Cyberspace Command (MCCE) make up the Standing Command structure.

These commands dedicate close to 1,200 military personnel daily to these operations, which seek to have a good knowledge of the environment while guaranteeing an immediate response 365 days a year to any incident that may arise, and all of this with the aim of preserving the security of all Spaniards.

Patrol vessel 'Centinela'

The "Centinela", with side number P-72, is the second ship belonging to the "Serviola" class and is based in Ferrol (La Coruña).

Its main misión is to conduct surveillance and security operations in the maritime environment on areas under national sovereignty. It also collaborates with and supports other public bodies in the control of maritime traffic, fishing surveillance and the search and rescue of shipwrecked persons.

Vessel 'Centinela', commanded by Lieutenant Commander Miguel Ángel Pereira Martínez, has a crew of 7 officers, 10 non-commissioned officers, 29 sailors and 7 marines as security team.

The ship was built at Navantia shipyards in Ferrol and commissioned to the Spanish Navy in September 1991.