The ‘Isla Pinto’ Zone Surveillance Patrol Vessel (P-84) Conducts Maritime Surveillance in National Areas of Interest

• As part of Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations, the vessel monitors maritime traffic and fishing activity within her assigned patrol area.

The Isla Pinto Zone Surveillance Patrol Vessel (PVZ in Spanish) is currently conducting maritime surveillance and comprehensive control of maritime areas of national interest to help ensure maritime security in the waters surrounding Melilla and the Spanish sovereign enclaves in these maritime zones. This mission is part of the Armed Forces’ Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations, with the vessel operating under the Maritime Operational Command (MOM in Spanish) and the operational control of the Commander of the Operations Command (CMOPS in Spanish). 

During these operations, the Isla Pinto performs key tasks including the monitoring and verification of maritime traffic, as well as overseeing activities within her patrol zone—primarily focused on fishing operations.

Patrol Vessel ‘Isla Pinto’ (P-84)

El Patrullero de Vigilancia en Zona (PVZ) ‘Isla Pinto’ se integra en el Mando las Unidades de la Fuerza de Acción y tiene su base es un buque de la Fuerza de Acción Marítima (FAM). El buque toma su nombre de la Isla Pinto, una isla artificial que se encuentra dentro de la Estación Naval de Mahon—, y está encuadrado en la clase ‘Toralla’, junto con los patrulleros ‘Toralla’ (P-81) y ‘Formentor’ (P-82), basados en Cartagena, y el ‘Isla de León’ (P-83), basado en Ceuta.

Maritime Operational Command (MOM)

The Maritime Operational Command is a body within the operational structure of the Spanish Armed Forces, subordinate to the Chief of the Defence (JEMAD in Spanish). It is responsible, at its level, for planning, conducting, and monitoring presence, surveillance, and deterrence operations in maritime areas of sovereignty, responsibility, and national interest. The MOM is commanded by the Admiral of Maritime Action (ALMART in Spanish) and is based in Cartagena.

Presence, Surveillance, and Deterrence Operations

Presence, Surveillance and Deterrence Operations (PSDO) are an effective tool for maintaining oversight of sovereign spaces, enabling the early detection of threats and facilitating a swift and viable response in the event of a potential crisis. 

The Operational Commands (OC) for Land (MOT), Maritime (MOM), Air (MOA), Space (MOESPA), and Cyberspace (MOC) form the Permanent Command structure. On a daily basis, approximately 3,000 personnel from the Armed Forces are involved in permanent operations, under the operational control of the Operations Command.