Today, 17 June, aboard the frigate Bergamini, moored at the naval base of Augusta, the commander in chief of the Naval Squad, team admiral Filippo Maria Foffi, attended the assembly to change the command of theSafe Sea Operation (WHO) between Rear Admiral Salvatore Vitiello, Commander of the Third Naval Division and Admiral Alberto Maffeis, commander of the Patrol Forces for Surveillance and Coastal Defense.
Twenty-two naval units alternated during the four months of command of Admiral Vitiello, a period during which 2.900 soldiers were employed, with an average continuous daily presence at sea of about 800 people. A total of 15.800 engine hours, plus the 390 flight hours of the helicopters on board.
During the four months of activity at sea, 88 rescue events were conducted for a total of 14.544 shipwrecked people rescued by the units involved in the device which also provided the necessary safety framework for the vehicles involved.
The national operation Safe Sea the 12 in March 2015 was launched following the evolution of the Libyan crisis which made it necessary to upgrade the air naval device of the MM deployed in the Central Mediterranean - in order to protect national interests in the area and ensure adequate levels of maritime safety.
The operation has the mission to carry out, for the protection of national interests, activities of presence, surveillance and maritime security in the central Mediterranean, in application of national legislation and international agreements in force.
