Military policemen from Slovakia embark on a nighttime mission in the waters of the Mediterranean

The SVK Military Police Boarding Team members who are currently serving with EUNAVFOR MED Operation SOPHIA carried out a several-hours-long mission in the waters of the Mediterranean. The aim of the mission was to board and search an unknown vessel and to provide medical care to its crew. The visibly damaged yacht, which failed to respond to radio calls, was discovered by SVK MP personnel during their routine surveillance of the area.

Speaking about the boarding action, Commander Slovak Contingent MSgt Ladislav Kováč said:"Our assumption was that the crew of the vessel may have been injured. As a result, we sent MP medics along with the boarding team to board the yacht. The rest of the team members formed a reserve support team." As he further explained, the vessel turned out to be empty. "During the mission we appreciated the state-of-the-art equipment of our unit, including night vision goggles, IR beacons for rescue ops, and specialist lights," he stressed.

Subsequently, they handed over the vessel to Italian security forces who collaborate with members of EUNAVFOR MED Operation SOPHIA.

The Slovak Republic became involved in its historically first maritime operation in August 2017. The SVK Military Police Boarding Team has so far conducted dozens of rescue operations and inspections of other vessels.