Patrolling NATO ship rescues fishing vessel adrift in Central Med

Photo By David Taylor | Algerian fishermen show their delight at being assisted by Spanish Ship ESPS Marques de la Ensenada. The fishing vessel Mohamed Badri was stranded by engine failure when spotted by the Marques de la Ensenada, currently in associated support to surge operations being carried out as part of NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour. Following repairs by engineers of the Marques de la Ensenada the fishing boat was able to continue under its own steam. Photo: SNMG1.  

NAPLES, ITALY

01.25.2011

Story by David Taylor 

NATO Maritime Command Naples

NAPLES, Italy - The morning of Jan. 25 the Spanish Ship ESPS Marques de la Ensenada, rescued an Algerian fishing vessel, the Mohamed Badri adrift due to an electrical breakdown of the engine. A technical team was sent on board and was able to carry out the repairs necessary to allow the fishing boat and its seven-man crew to sail back home. ESPN Marques de la Ensenada is in associated support to Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 currently carrying out Surge Operations in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean as part of Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s anti-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean Sea.

SNMG1 is a multinational, integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force; it is currently commanded by Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi (Italian Navy) from his flagship ITS Etna . The group also contains German Frigate FGS Luebeck.

Operation Active Endeavour was formally begun the October 26, 2001 as a result of NATO implementing Article 5 of the Washington Treaty following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States of America. Its mission is to help deter, defend, disrupt and protect against terrorism in the Mediterranean Sea. It is currently conducted by Vice Admiral Maurizio Gemignani, Italian Navy, as COM Active Endeavour, from Allied Maritime Command Naples. Building on experience acquired over the years OAE has become largely network-based and has developed a considerable Maritime Situational Awareness through the use of modern tracking and analysis technologies. It also benefits enormously from cooperation with non-NATO contributing nations. However, surge operations remain an integral part of OAE and are specifically designed to deny terrorists the option of operating in the Mediterranean Sea.

• Date Taken: 01.25.2011
• Date Posted: 01.26.2011 04:52
• Story ID: 64223
• Location: NAPLES, IT