BAM 'Meteoro' gets back to maritime surveillance missions

• The Navy ship will carry out a surveillance and security patrol in national sovereignty maritime areas

The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) 'Meteoro' (P-41), reporting to the Canary Islands Naval Command and based at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Base, has set sail as part of the Maritime Operational Command. Its mission is to carry out maritime surveillance in order to guarantee the security of maritime spaces of national interest within the framework of the Armed Forces’ Standing Operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS).

OPV 'Meteoro' was the Commanding Ship of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG-2) for 166 days and arrived in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria last July, thus resumes maritime surveillance missions.

The ship will call at the port of La Estaca (El Hierro) on September 24 and 25 and will be available for visits.

The contribution to the Knowledge of the Maritime Environment (CEM in Spanish) is one of the assigned missions, being an element that enables the rest of the operations including the Maritime Security Operations (MSO), which constitute the specific actions against threats and illicit acts that endanger security in the maritime environment.

OPV 'Meteoro'

The crew consists of 41 women and men. The ship's commander is Lieutenant Commander Carlos Segura Iglesias.

Maritime Operational Command(MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command is the body within the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinated to the Chief of Defence Staff, 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 for Maritime Action (ALMART) based in Cartagena.

Surveillance and deterrence Standing Operations

Surveillance and deterrence 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.