The “Explorer” class coastal patrol vessels, deployed in Sinai as part of the MFO mission, welcomed the ship. Amerigo Vespucci in the waters of the Straits of Tiran.
The MFO is an international organization of peacekeeping independent, established for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the 1979 peace agreements between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Israel.
The coastal patrol vessels of the Navy, the so-called "Desert Ships", under the command of Lieutenant Giacomo Cappelletti (Nave Explorer), of Lieutenant Sergio Pecoraro (Ship look-out) and Lieutenant Marco Mollica (Ship Relay), have sailed the waters of Tiran, passing alongside the Ship Amerigo Vespucci, transiting these waters as part of its "Around the World" voyage which began on 1 July 2023 and will conclude on 10 June 2025 with its return to Genoa, the port from which it departed.
Further evidence of the importance of the event is represented by the visit on board the ship Vespucci by the force commander of MFO, Major General Michael Garraway (Australian Army), accompanied by Frigate Captain Argenio Galasso, commander of the Italian contingent employed as part of MFO.
General Garraway, welcomed on board by the ship's commander Vespucci, Captain Giuseppe Lai, was able to appreciate up close the professionalism that distinguishes Italian sailors.
In addition, General Garraway also had a video conference with the Commander in Chief of the Naval Fleet, Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, to whom he addressed words of deep appreciation and absolute gratitude for the daily work carried out by the coastal patrol vessels of the "Esploratore" class to preserve peace in one of the areas of strategic importance for the entire international community.
Among the most significant moments, the withdrawal of Nave Relay, commanded by Commander Lai himself twenty years ago, testifying to the bond between the Navy personnel and the units on which they served during their career.
At the end of the event, General Garraway expressed words of deep gratitude towards the crews who took part in the naval training, underlining once again the fundamental role played by the Navy and Defence in the international panorama.
At the end of the formation maneuvers, the units said goodbye, paying their respects in full compliance with centuries-old naval traditions.
