Rayo News

The crew members from ESPS Rayo continued the regional cooperation EU NAVFOR has established with the AMISOM Marine unit off the coast of Mogadishu. This was the third time this year that EU NAVFOR has had the opportunity to exercise and train with AMISOM forces. This visit to Mogadishu followed on from ESPS Relampago in February and ESPS Galicia in May. The training included briefings and exercises on fire fighting, search and rescue, first aid and boarding procedures. Maritime training with regional partners, such as AMISOM, is an extremely important aspect of Operation Atalanta’s work to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia. The…

EU Naval Force warship ESPS Rayo conducted Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) training in support of the Djiboutian Coast Guard, during her port visit to Djibouti on 30 August. The training began with a briefing on board ESPS Rayo for the Djiboutian Coast Guard personnel. This was followed by comprehensive training in fire fighting techniques, as well as the use of protective clothing used to safely fight a fire. Those receiving the training showed great interest in both damage control techniques and equipment and at the end of the session expressed their appreciation and willingness to take part in other training opportunities to continue to develop their skills.

A Spanish warship ESPS Rayo will be deployed in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden for the next six months. ESPS Rayo is part of Spain's contribution to the European Union's fight against piracy. Spanish Navy warship, ESPS Rayo recently joined the EU Naval Force (EU Navfor) and will be deployed in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden for the next six months. The warship is part of Spain’s contribution to the European Union’s (EU) fight against piracy in the Horn of Africa. ESPS Rayo is a modern, multipurpose Oceanic Patrol Vessel (OPV), capable of accomplishing a wide range of operational tasks. Commissioned to the Spanish Navy in May 2012, the ship has a displacement of 2,500 tonnes, is 95m long and, for this counterpiracy mission, has a crew of 83 on board.

"The revelation this week that the owner of an Algerian cargo ship whose crew was held by Somali pirates paid them $2.6 million in ransom is yet another indication that the rewards these denizens reap for their illegal, life-threatening work remain a serious stumbling block to ending maritime organized crime," AdvanFort Company President and COO William H. Watson said. “Those ship owners and operators who have still not hired a highly-reputable private maritime security company (PMSC) continue to risk paying what amounts to an illegal tax in support of further organized maritime extortion…

The Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant, has issued a renewed warning that Somali pirates are still determined to get out to sea and, if presented with an easy target, will attack. “I am very concerned that seafarers and nations will lower their guard and support for counter piracy operations in the belief that the piracy threat is over. It is not; it is merely contained," he said. "We should remember that at its height in January 2011, 32 ships were pirated by Somali pirates and 736 hostages were held.

Chemical tanker 'MV Royal Grace' unexpectedly sailed out of pirate's anchorage, then assisted by EUNAVFOR warship. The pirates had held the vessel after attacking it over a year earlier, on 2 March 2012 in the Gulf of Oman. Early in the  morning of 8, March 2013, ESPS Mendez Nunez was conducting counter-piracy patrols 20 nautical miles off the northern Somali coast, when she sighted Royal Grace sailing north from the pirate anchorage at a speed of 4 knots. Shortly afterwards, the warship received a radio call from the master of the tankship…