The Oceanic Patrol Vessel (OPV) ‘Cazadora’ intercepted a boat with 15 immigrants in the Alboran Sea

The oceanic patrol vessel ‘Cazadora’, currently conducting a maritime surveillance and patrol operation in the Gulf of Cadiz and the Alboran Sea, intercepted an inflatable craft with 15 male immigrants, 62 miles off the coast of Almería.

The Spanish Navy ship received a notice from a merchant ship and immediately informed the Maritime Action Surveillance and Operations Center (COVAM in its Spanish initials). The patrol vessel approached the craft and, after ascertaining that the occupants were in good shape, proceeded to inform the local Rescue Coordination Centre for further action.

The ‘Cazadora’ remained in the proximity of the craft until the occupants were safely transferred to the SAR vessel.

The OPV ‘Cazadora’ is currently supporting NATO’s operation ‘Active Endeavour’, an operation intended to prevent the movement of terrorists and weapons of mass destruction in the Mediterranean Sea.

The oceanic patrol vessel ‘Cazadora’, with hull number P-78, is the third unit of the ‘Infanta Elena’-class patrol boats. The ship was built by the former Bazán Shipyards (now NAVANTIA). She was launched in October 1978 and delivered to the Spanish Navy on July 20th 1981.