1 June, 2023 by Juan Carlos Díaz Lorenzo

Navy and SVA Train in Maritime Security in the Canary Islands

Today, a maritime security exercise organized by the Navy was conducted in territorial waters south of Gran Canaria, with the collaboration of the Deputy Directorate of Customs Surveillance (DAVA), where both simulated an operation against drug trafficking, which included a medical emergency with the evacuation of an injured person.

According to reports, the exercise involved the BAM “Relámpago” from the Navy, marines from the Operational Team of the Canary Islands Security Unit (USCAN), and divers from the Canary Diving Unit (UBUCANAR), as well as the patrol boat “Cóndor” from the Customs Surveillance Service (SVA).

Additionally, a helicopter from the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) of the Government of the Canary Islands participated, coordinated by the CECOES 112 room of the Emergency Directorate of the Government of the Canary Islands and the Maritime Captaincy of Las Palmas, through the Maritime Safety Control and Rescue Center (SASEMAR).

The purpose of this exercise in the waters of Gran Canaria is to enhance the coordination of resources between the Deputy Directorate of Customs Surveillance (DAVA) and the Navy. This year, the operation involved an action against drug trafficking on a ship coming from third countries, under surveillance by the patrol boat “Cóndor,” which was suspected of engaging in international drug trafficking activities.

During the exercise, the patrol boat “Cóndor” requested support from the Navy through the BAM “Relámpago,” which was nearby conducting a surveillance and security patrol in national sovereignty maritime spaces. This BAM assisted in boarding the suspicious vessel, carried out by a team from the Customs Surveillance Service, which was continuously supported by an operational team of Marines. Furthermore, the Navy divers participated in an underwater search for bales after observing that the crew of the suspicious merchant ship threw various objects into the sea when the boarding was about to take place.

Finally, there was also a simulated medical evacuation of an injured person, coordinated by the Navy, the Maritime Safety and Rescue Society (SASEMAR), and the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) of the Government of the Canary Islands, with the latter responsible for transporting the injured person from the ship to land using a helicopter.

The maritime security exercise MARSEC-23, scheduled by the fleet admiral and conducted by the maritime action admiral, is an advanced maritime exercise organized by the Navy, which brings together the efforts of various agencies and organizations, whether civil or military, governmental or not, and neighboring countries to achieve the common goal of safeguarding shared interests in different maritime spaces.