The Spanish Navy provides assistance to a French sailboat in the Indian Ocean

At dawn of Saturday 16th, the frigate ‘Navarra’ integrated into the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) in the Indian Ocean, provided assistance to a French sailboat adrift. The Spanish Navy warship was informed by a German maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that the yacht had run out of fuel.

At midday, the frigate – currently participating in operation ‘Atalanta’ fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean – was ordered by EUNAFOR’s Commander (CTF-465) to go and rendezvous with the French sailboat which was 200 nautical miles away from the Spanish ship.

With the information received, the ‘Navarra’ was able to locate the sailboat the following day and supplied the necessary fuel for the sailboat to continue on her way to the port of Salalah.

The crew of the French yacht checked that the engine worked properly, thanked the assistance provided by the Spanish warship, and confirmed that they would be able to reach the destination by their own means.