The OPV ‘Relámpago’ visits Tarragona after participating in the counter-piracy operation ‘Atalanta’

The oceanic patrol vessel (BAM in its Spanish initials) ‘Relámpago’, on her way back to her home port in Las Palmas (Canary Islands), made a scheduled port of call in Tarragona after her deployment in operation ‘Atalanta’.

The ‘Relámpago’ set sail on February 23rd and, since then, has been integrated into this European Union counter-piracy operation in the Indian Ocean. This is the first time in six months that her 70-strong crew has the chance to visit a Spanish port.

The port of call was an opportunity to show local people one of the most modern warships of the Spanish Navy, and was also an occasion for the crew to relax and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

During the brief stopover in the city, a total of 1,022 people queued during the morning and afternoon to visit the ship. Especially moving was the great attendance to the lowering of the flag ceremony.