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The offshore patrol vessel 'Serviola' undertakes maritime surveillance and security mission

Alboran Sea
December 2, 2022
  • The Navy ship is integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM) under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS)

The offshore patrol vessel 'Serviola' set sail from the Arsenal of Ferrol (A Coruña) to carry out surveillance and security operations in maritime areas of national sovereignty and interest.

For the third time this year, the offshore patrol vessel has been integrated into the Maritime Operational Command (MOM), under the operational control of the Operations Command (MOPS), to carry out surveillance and deterrence missions within the Standing Operations of the Armed Forces.

The ship is scheduled to visit the port of Almería, where the Navy's contribution to Standing Operations will be presented.

The 'Serviola', commanded by Lieutenant Commander Teodoro Romero de Soto, has a crew of 46 military personnel.  In addition, for this operation, there is an Operational Security Team (EOS) made up of Marines from the Tercio Norte (Ferrol).

Maritime Operational Command (MOM in Spanish)

The MOM is the organization of the operational structure of the Armed Forces, subordinated 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.

Standing Surveillance and Deterrence Operations

Standing Surveillance and Deterrence Operations are an effective tool for maintaining surveillance of sovereign spaces, which allows for early detection of threats and therefore facilitates an immediate and viable response to a potential crisis.

The Land (MOT), Maritime (MOM), Aerospace (MOA) and the recently created Cyberspace (MOC) Operational Commands 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.

Offshore patrol vessel '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 90s. It was launched in 1990 and delivered to the Navy on March 22, 1991. It 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 main mission of the vessel today is to carry out maritime surveillance and deterrence operations in areas of national sovereignty and interest. The vessel is prepared to carry out maritime interdiction operations (visit, search and, if necessary, seizure of vessels) and to provide aid, search and rescue and assistance at sea when required.

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