THE Spanish Navy carried out an exercise of maritime interdiction operations in the Canary Islands aimed at strengthening the control of illicit maritime traffic. The maneuver, carried out on December 10 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is part of the protocols that allow action in national and international waters, in accordance with current maritime law.
The training was led by an operational security team from the Canary Islands Security Unit, one of the structures specializing in the naval protection of the Atlantic. The chosen setting was a real merchant ship, the cargo ship flying the Portuguese flag. Catherinewho actively collaborated in the exercise.
A real merchant ship as an operational scenario
He Catherine It remained moored at Puerto de la Luz, which made it possible to accurately simulate an operation on a ship suspected of transporting prohibited goods without affecting port traffic. This approach provided a key level of realism to assess the coordination, response times and safety of all parties involved.
The operation replicated all the usual phases of a maritime interdiction: approach, boarding, securing the vessel and thorough search. The assault was carried out from a military vessel, applying techniques specific to port environments and large ships.
Boarding and screening procedures
During the exercise, deployed personnel performed controlled access maneuvers, securing critical areas and checking on crew. The collaboration of the merchant’s civilian staff made it possible to train complete scenarios, including confined spaces and technical areas of the ship.
Legal verification and documentary control
One of the central axes of the exercise was the verification of the administrative and legal documentation of the ship. The Navy team reviewed tonnage certificates, cargo manifests, health documents and compliance with the MARPOL Convention on the Prevention of Maritime Pollution, a regulatory framework accessible through the International Maritime Organization.
These checks constitute one of the first barriers against illicit trafficking in goods, weapons, drugs or people. Detection of documentary inconsistencies is, in many cases, the first indication of illegal activities at sea.
A crucial mission for maritime security
Maritime interdiction operations allow state authority to be exercised beyond territorial waters when legal assumptions apply. Its proper execution requires precision, legal knowledge and constant technical preparation.
The role of operational security teams
Operational Security Teams are comprised of members of the Marine Corps and maintain a continuing education program. Their preparation includes boarding techniques, confined space searching, self-defense, searching for crew members and basic health care in risky situations.
These capabilities are decisive in very complex scenarios, where speed of action and control of the situation determine both the safety of the crew and the success of the mission.
Coordination with visiting and registration documents
On Navy ships, survey and search parts act as specialized maritime inspection teams. When integrated with operational security teams, an operational structure capable of approaching and controlling vessels at different threat levels is configured.
This combination allows for flexible action, from low intensity operations to higher risk scenarios, including those developed in international waters.
International legal framework for maritime interdiction
Maritime bans are protected by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed in Montego Bay in 1982 and ratified by Spain. This treaty defines the rights and obligations of States in the different maritime areas.
In addition, these operations are supported by international humanitarian law agreements, guaranteeing that actions are carried out with full respect for legality and the safety of civilian crews.
The Canary Islands, a strategic enclave in the Atlantic
The choice of the Canary Islands for this type of exercises responds to its geostrategic value. The archipelago is located at a crossroads of maritime routes between Europe, Africa and America, which makes its ports key points for the control of naval traffic.
With this maneuver, the Spanish Navy strengthens its presence and response capacity in one of the most sensitive areas of the international maritime environment, consolidating its role in the protection of national interests and collective security of the Atlantic.
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