Patrol vessel Infanta Elena sailed Wednesday toward the coast of Somalia to fight piracy in the Indian Ocean as part of the Atalanta mission of the European Union (EU).
The boat, belonging to the Spanish Navy, begins its second participation in the community mission. In the coming weeks, it will help strengthen the defence work to fishing vessels operating in the Indian Ocean.
The Infanta Elena has extensive experience in international missions. It was part of former naval groupings as the Multinational Interception Force in the Red Sea, during the naval blockade imposed by the UN against Iraq in 1991 and in operation Libre Hidalgo in the waters of Lebanon, La Opinion informed.
The ship can accommodate 102 people, 11 of which are Marines who will perform security duties. It has various combat weapons such as cannons, machine guns and missile launchers.
According to Thomas Dolarea, captain of the ship, during the four months that the Infanta Elena's mission will last, it will defend international maritime traffic in the area and protect ships carrying humanitarian aid to the Horn of Africa, ravaged by a severe famine.
The boat will also defend merchant ships crossing the sea corridor linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, EFE agency reported.
From the beginning of Atalanta Operation, in 2008 to the present, ship hijacking was significantly reduced in the Indian Ocean, Dolarea stressed.
However, he emphasised that the attacks of the pirates are still numerous and fishing boats remain at risk in the area.
The Infanta Elena is also involved in maritime surveillance missions, ocean pollution, detection and monitoring of activities related to illegal immigration and participates in operations against drug trafficking.
In January, the battleship Patiño repelled an attack by a pirate skiff.
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