European Union Naval Force Somalia
Press release
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
During the evening of November 22, a search
and rescue exercise was conducted by ESPS Meteoro and her embarked
helicopter. The exercise was part of an intensive air-sea training
programme.
During the exercise, two qualified rescue divers from the embarked
air wing simulated two men who had been washed overboard. The Spanish
warship's SH-60B helicopter was quickly launched and 'rescued' them from
the sea using a rescue hook.
This type of exercise ensures that the ship's company and the
helicopter crew remain at the top of their game when on operations.
ESPS Meteoro has been part of EU Naval Force's Operation Atalanta
since 15 August. The ship has sailed more than 20,000 nautical miles,
conducted 79 friendly approaches with local seafarers and carried out 57
flying sorties with the embarked SH60B helicopter.