The oceanic patrol vessel ‘Relámpago’, currently participating in the European-led counter-piracy operation ‘Atalanta’ in the Indian Ocean, has provided medical assistance to a couple of fishermen in Somali waters.
The two fishermen were crew members of a ‘dhow’, a small trawler-type boat characteristic of this area. They had infected injuries caused by the fishing tackle. The medical personnel of the Spanish patrol boat assisted the fishermen and gave them the necessary first aid material for ensuing cures and treatment.
These friendly approaches (MSAV) conducted by operation ‘Atalanta’ warships sailing in the Horn of Africa, are part of the confidence-building measures to enhance mutual knowledge between regional fishermen and the military forces deployed in the area.
[mappress] Press Release, June 25, 2014; Image: Spanish Navy