The offshore patrol vessel ‘Serviola’ returns from a four-month deployment in Africa.

The offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ‘Serviola’ has just returned to her homeport in Ferrol after a four-month deployment in the Gulf of Guinea. The welcoming ceremony was presided over by the Maritime Action Admiral, Vice-admiral Juan Luis Sobrino.

The ship has cooperated with West African navies helping them to enhance their naval capabilities. A total of 11 countries have been visited and 232 servicemen have been trained in maritime security tasks.

In addition to the scheduled training exercises, the activities in the months of April and May were especially intense, as the ‘Serviola’ helped to free a hijacked Nigerian ship and the 20 sailors of the ship ‘Blue Marlin’.

The Spanish OPV also helped a Cape Verdean vessel which was about to sink due to severe water leakage.

About the OPV ‘Serviola’

The OPV ‘Serviola’, under command of Lt-Cdr. Ramón González-Cela, was built by Navantia in Ferrol and commissioned into active service in 1991. She is the first unit of a series of four OPVs. Her main missions include maritime security, fight against marine pollution, SAR, tracking possible illegal activities and collaboration with other Constabulary and State departments with responsibilities in the maritime domain like counter-terrorism and drug-trafficking.