Offshore patrol vessel 'Serviola' participates in permanent surveillance and deterrence operations.

• The Navy ship will call at the port of Huelva

The offshore patrol vessel 'Serviola' has set sail from the Arsenal of Ferrol, to carry out surveillance and security in the maritime areas of sovereignty and national interest, during the months of October and November.

After being deployed for three months in the Gulf of Guinea, this is the second time this year that the "Serviola" is integrated in the Maritime Operational Command (MOM), under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS), to carry out its main mission of maritime surveillance and security within the permanent operations of the Armed Forces.

The ship is scheduled to visit the port of Huelva. The Maritime Operational Command wishes to take the opportunity of its stay in the city to make naval presence and to make known the contribution of the Navy in the permanent operations of surveillance and maritime security

The 'Serviola', commanded by Lieutenant Commander Teodoro Romero de Soto, has a crew of 7 officers, 10 non-commissioned officers, and 29 military of the seafaring scale. In addition, for this operation, an Operational Security Team (EOS) made up of marines belonging to the Tercio Norte de Ferrol is embarking.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM in Spanish)

The MOM is the organization of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of Defense Staff (JEMAD), 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) and is headquartered in Cartagena.

Permanent Surveillance and Deterrence Operations

Permanent surveillance and deterrence operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign spaces, which allows for early detection of threats and facilitates an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis.

The Land Operational Commands (MOT), Maritime (MOM), Aerospace (MOA) and the recently created Cyberspace (MOC) make up the Permanent Command structure. On a daily basis, there are about 3,000 Armed Forces personnel involved in permanent operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command..

About the offshore patrol boat 'Serviola

The offshore patrol vessel 'Serviola' is the first of a series of four patrol vessels built for the Navy at the shipyard of the former Empresa Nacional Bazán (today NAVANTIA) in Ferrol, at the beginning of the nineties. She was launched in 1990 and delivered to the Navy on March 22nd, 1991. She has a length of 68.65 meters and a beam of 10.40 meters.

The ship is part of the Maritime Action Force, whose organic command is the Commander of the Maritime Action Force Units in Ferrol. The 'Serviola' is based at the Ferrol Arsenal.

Its main mission at present is to carry out surveillance and maritime security operations in areas of sovereignty and national interest. Likewise, its support to other State agencies in the fight against illegal immigration, drug trafficking and other criminal activities is also common. The vessel is prepared to carry out maritime interdiction operations (visit, search and, if necessary, seizure of vessels) and to provide aid, rescue and assistance at sea when required.