NRP Viana do Castelo set off today, August 21, from the Lisbon Naval Base for the “Open Sea Initiative 2024” mission. This mission will last approximately four months along the African coast, and is scheduled to visit 10 countries, including all Portuguese-speaking African countries.
The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Gouveia e Melo, who praised the relevance of the Navy’s presence in the South Atlantic, having stated on the occasion that “the “Open Sea Initiative 2024″ in Africa is relevant for Portugal, for Europe and for NATO”.
The Open Sea Initiative was created in 2008 as a response by the Portuguese State to the maritime insecurity observed in a specific geographical area, the Gulf of Guinea. This mission also aims to contribute to strengthening cooperation relations and fulfill the international commitments assumed by Portugal within the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries and within the scope of the Coordinated Maritime Presences of the European Union.
Since the Open Sea Initiative began, several naval assets and Marine forces have been continuously engaged in Defence Cooperation actions, supporting the development of a maritime security culture and capabilities in Africa. These efforts have consolidated Portugal’s contribution as an active provider of maritime security and capacity building.
The NRP Viana do Castelo is commanded by Captain Ricardo José Sá Granja and has a total of 57 soldiers on board, including a Marine security team, a team of sapper divers and an unmanned aerial systems operator team.