The Spanish Navy rescue ship ‘Neptuno’ has participated in the Spanish-Algerian bilateral exercise MEDEX-2014 from the 23rd to the 27th of June. The exercise was conducted off the coast of Oran with the participation of several Algerian Navy units.
The MEDEX-type exercises are intended to train naval servicemen whenever a submarine has suffered an accident and the crew has no option but to abandon ship through the escape hatch.
During the five-day exercise a very intense schedule of events was carried out with diving, maneuvers and communications drills. But the main activities focused on underwater training: diving operations in medium and shallow waters, and exercises with a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) in Algerian coastal waters.
Algerian Navy units included a coast guard ship, a rescue craft, a SAR ‘Super-Lynx’ helicopter and the participation of the Oran Surveillance and Rescue Operations Centre.
During the subsequent port of call in the Algerian city, the ‘Neptune’ organized a series of protocol activities including a reception for the Oran naval authorities also attended by the Spanish Consul in Algiers Carlos Bárcena. Afterwards the General of the Western Region of the Algerian Naval Forces hosted a reception for the crew of the Spanish ship.
[mappress] Press Release, July 01, 2014; Image: Spanish Navy