One of NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour maritime groups is currently in Malta for a short break, before it continues its anti-terrorist mission in the Mediterranean.
The current operation is being carried out by four ships, three of which entered Grand Harbour late yesterday afternoon for a four-day stay, during which members of the fleet’s crew will enjoy a short vacation.
Admiral Michael K. Mahon, commander of the group – Standing NATO Maritime Group One – met journalists on board the group’s flagship, the United States’ USS Bainbridge soon after the ship berthed at Deep Water Quay at about 7pm yesterday.
Two of the other vessels forming part of the group – Canada’s HMCS Toronto and Denmark’s HDMS Peter Tordenskiold – are also currently berthed at Grand Harbour. The group’s fourth vessel is Germany’s FGS Rheinland Pfalz.
The group has been actively engaged in NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour since 12 October, explained Admiral Mahon.
He said the primary objective of Operation Active Endeavour, which began in the early days following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, is to safeguard the Mediterranean against terrorist activity and illegal activities that could be associated with terrorism, including smuggling of arms and radioactive materials.
Combating irregular migration and enhancing maritime safety for trade and economic activity are two of the operation’s targets having a direct impact on Malta.
The mission began in the eastern Mediterranean, but soon expanded to include patrols in the Straits of Gibraltar in the western Mediterranean. In 2004, Operation Active Endeavour expanded to include the entire Mediterranean.
The multinational operation, carried out through partnership between both NATO and non-NATO members, has monitored more than 31,500 vessels, boarding about 130 suspect ships, while more than 500 ships have taken advantage of NATO escorts.
Admiral Mahon explained that the size of the group can expand or contract depending on the required mission.
“It is a multinational effort that goes beyond traditional NATO boundaries, the main aims of which are maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean,” he said.
The presence of grey ships at sea does deter illegal activity and the operation has had a visible effect on security and stability that is beneficial to trade and economic activity in the Mediterranean region.
Operation Active Endeavour has clearly been successful in making the Mediterranean safer and more secure, in turn enhancing security for all countries that rely on the Mediterranean for legitimate trade and commerce.
Operation Active Endeavour has also been very effective in deterring illegal immigration in the Mediterranean, said Admiral Mahon.
On 23 October the group came across a ship in the eastern Mediterranean that had no Automatic Identification System installed. The ship, MC Seaomar, was not a passenger ship, had a crew of just four people and 46 irregular migrants on board that were supposedly heading towards Greece or Cyprus.
“This illegal activity was stopped thanks to Operation Active Endeavour and we have also come across other similar situations in mid-summer, particularly one situation where a group of migrants was heading from north Africa to Spain” said Admiral Mahon, adding that in this particular situation the Spanish authorities were asked to return the migrants to north Africa.
The ships will be open to the public today between 10am and 2pm at Deep Water Quay, Grand Harbour, Valletta. Visitors are asked not to carry hand baggage and be prepared to show identification.