Spanish Navy patrol vessel 'Infanta Cristina' visits Almeria

• The vessel, part of the Maritime Operational Command (MOM), and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS), is conducting a maritime surveillance patrol in Mediterranean waters

Between April 23rd and 24th, the offshore patrol vessel 'Infanta Cristina' will stopover at the port of Almeria.

The last time this vessel was docked at the port of Almeria was in November 2016.

About the 'Infanta Cristina' patrol vessel

The offshore patrol vessel 'Infanta Cristina', with side number P-77, is the second ship of the 'Infanta Elena' class. Built by Empresa Nacional Bazán (today Navantia) in Cartagena, it was first launched in April 1977 and commissioned to the Spanish Navy in November 1980.

It was built as the 'Infanta Cristina' corvette, the fourth corvette belonging to the 'Descubierta' class until 2004, when, after major modifications, it was converted to its current configuration as an offshore patrol vessel.

P-77 'Infanta Cristina', the eighth ship in the history of the Navy to bear this name, has a crew of 90 people.

Its main mission is maritime surveillance. This includes a wide range of duties, such as countering illegal immigration and drug trafficking, counter-piracy, maritime traffic control, environmental protection and fishing activities surveillance. The ship is visiting Almeria as part of the permanent maritime surveillance mission (MOM) and reporting to Spain's CHOD.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

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.