Sunday August 6, 2017
Spanish Navy warship, ESPS Rayo, has completed a successful escort of a World Food Programme (WFP) ship, MV Al Safa, to the port of Bossaso in Somalia. MV Al Safa was chartered by the WFP to take urgently needed food to the people of Somalia, under the protection of an EU NAVFOR warship.
ESPS Rayo is currently deployed with the European Union’s counter-piracy force off the coast of Somalia. EU NAVFOR’s mission is to help protect WFP vessels and international shipping from the dangers of piracy and armed robbery at sea. During their patrols, EU NAVFOR warships also monitor fishing activity along the coast and report any vessels actively engaged in fishing to staff at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DGMARE). Working with international colleagues, DGMARE will investigate the vessel, and if deemed appropriate, seek prosecution, as was the case with fishing vessel, Greko 1 in 2016.
Under the direction of the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Fabio Gregori, ESPS Rayo successfully ensured that the WFP ship was free from danger during their humanitarian mission.