On January the 3rd the Combat Replenishment Ship Cantabria left La Graña Naval Port in Spain for a one year deployment to Australia.
Admiral Jaime Muñoz-Delgado (Spanish Navy Chief of Staff) and Admiral Santiago Bolivar (Admiral of the Fleet) attended the farewell ceremony. During his speech, Admiral Muñoz-Delgado stressed the significance of the deployment and set the course for its conduct, stressing the importance of safety and security and the welfare of the crew.
He reminded the crew, “Not less than a century ago, it was very common to find Spanish Mariners in the Pacific Ocean, and for nearly four centuries our navigators and their ships discovered, opened and used those sea lines of communications in the Pacific.“
After his speech, Admiral Muñoz-Delgado saluted the RAN contingent who will be part of the crew for the deployment to Australia.
The senior sea rider on board ESPS Cantabria is LCDR Gerry Savvakis, XO HMAS Success.
The transit to Australia will take 43 days and ESPS Cantabria will conduct two port visits for logistical purposes before arrival.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 8, 2013; Image: Royal Australian Navy