Just a Few Kilometres from Morocco, Spain Deploys a Powerful Patrol Vessel
The Guardia Civil has just deployed an offshore patrol vessel to the Chafarine Islands, located only 3.5 kilometres from the Moroccan coast. Capable of reaching 30 knots, the Río Guadiana is intended to strengthen maritime surveillance and prevent further clandestine entries.
The Río Guadiana reached the Chafarine Islands during the night of Wednesday 9 to Thursday 10 September. The vessel operated by the Guardia Civil’s Maritime Service immediately joined the Spanish security operation deployed around the archipelago.
The official objective is to increase surveillance and intervention capabilities in the waters surrounding these islands administered by Spain but claimed by Morocco. They are located approximately 3.5 kilometres from the Moroccan coast, offshore from Ras El Ma, and around fifty kilometres east of Melilla.
According to the Spanish government, the deployment is particularly aimed at preventing attempts to enter irregularly by sea. Madrid has not indicated how long the patrol vessel will remain there.
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The Río Guadiana is a Guardia Civil vessel, not a warship. Entering service in 2006, it is 25 metres long and can accommodate up to ten crew members. It has specific equipment for navigation, communication, inspection and maritime intervention.
Two 1,400-horsepower engines and 680 miles of range
The patrol vessel is powered by two Caterpillar engines, each developing 1,400 horsepower and driving two Hamilton waterjets. An additional 800-horsepower engine is also mentioned in its technical specifications. The vessel can approach a speed of 30 knots, or approximately 55 kilometres per hour.
This reinforcement comes during a period of heightened vigilance around the Spanish territories located north of Morocco. At the beginning of September, the chief of staff of the Spanish Defence Staff had already visited Melilla and then Sebta to meet local military and civilian officials.
The choice of the Chafarine Islands also has a political dimension. An official Moroccan text published in 2009 classifies the archipelago among the Moroccan territories under Spanish occupation. Madrid, for its part, considers these three islands to be fully under its sovereignty.
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Despite this dispute, Spain plans to continue working with Rabat. The communiqué specifies that operations around the islands may be carried out, when necessary, “in coordination and collaboration” with the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie, במסגרת the mechanisms existing between the two countries.
