Offshore patrol vessel 'Centinela' starts a maritime security operation at the Mediterranean Sea

• The Navy ship carries out a maritime surveillance patrol in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar during the month of April

The patrol vessel 'Centinela' (P-72) sets sail today to carry out a maritime security operation in the Strait of Gibraltar. The ship is integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM) for this mission and under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS). The patrol vessel will operate in the waters south of the Iberian Peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea and the rocks and islands of North Africa. The goal is to carry out maritime surveillance and naval presence in areas of interest to the Spanish state. During this navigation, the ship will call at Alicante, where it will carry out naval presence.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

MOM is the organisation of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of Defence Staff (CHOD), responsible for planning, conducting and monitoring surveillance and security operations in maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility and national interest. It is under the command of the Admiral of Maritime Action (ALMART) based in Cartagena.

Armed Forces’ Standing Operations

Standing Operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign spaces, enabling early threat detection and enabling an immediate and effective response to a potential crisis.

The traditional Land Operational Command (MOT), Maritime (MOM), Aerospace (MOA) and the recently established Cyberspace (MOC) make up the Standing Command structure. On a daily basis, about 3.000 Armed Forces personnel are involved in permanent operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command.

Offshore patrol vessel ‘Centinela’

The "Centinela", with side number P-72, is the second patrol vessel of the 'Serviola' class and is based in Ferrol (La Coruña). The ship was built at the Navantia shipyard in Ferrol and delivered to the Navy in September 1991. Its main mission at present is to carry out surveillance and security operations in the maritime environment in 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. The patrol vessel 'Centinela', commanded by lieutenant commander Alejandro Álvarez Brasa, has a crew of 48 military personnel on board.