On Sunday, 2 March 2014, NATO’s counter-piracy task force Commander, Rear Admiral Eugenio Diaz del Rio, paid a visit to HNLMS EVERTSEN, currently deployed with Operation OCEAN SHIELD. This was the first time the Admiral went on board the Dutch warship since she joined the operation on 7 December 2013.
This cross-deck visit was an opportunity for Rear Admiral Diaz del Rio to be fully briefed on EVERTSEN’s capabilities, especially in the field of “non-compliant” boarding operations and medical support. While the admiral was on board, the ESPS ALVARO DE BAZAN closed in on EVERTSEN to conduct a series of training activities which included manoeuvring, communications and cross-deck helicopter exercises.
“I am impressed to see the short amount of time the crew of EVERTSEN has needed to get up to speed and be fully integrated into the operation,” said Rear Admiral Diaz del Rio. “This is exactly the kind of spirit that allows us to work swiftly as a team.”
[mappress] Press Release, March 5, 2014, Image: ACO NATO