The Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Vigía’ returns home after a 4-month deployment in Africa.

The offshore patrol vessel ‘Vigía’ (P-73) has just returned to her home base in Puntales (SW Spain) after a four-month deployment in West Africa, contributing to maritime security in the area and conducting cooperative activities with local naval services.

During this deployment, 31 Spanish-flagged trawlers were visited to offer the Navy’s assistance should it be required. An Angolan ship adrift made a distress call and was tugged to her home port in Luanda.

Moreover, more than 230 African servicemen were trained on board in tasks related to counter-piracy, diving, first aid and fire-fighting activities.

As part of the Defense Diplomacy plan, the ship’s presence also contributed to tighten bonds with local military and civilian authorities, while strengthening collaboration opportunities with other naval units from France, Italy and the US present in the area.

The ship called at 9 ports in 7 different countries, having sailed more than 15,000 nautical miles.

About OPV ‘Vigía’ P-73

This is the third of the four ‘Serviola’-class offshore patrol vessels built in Ferrol at the beginning of the 90’s.

The P-73 was delivered to the Spanish Navy in March 1993. So far, the patrol vessel has sailed more than 424,000 nautical miles, equivalent to 30 times an around the world voyage, staying at sea a total of 3,044 days, in other words, more than 8 years.