An unprecedented meeting between the ships took place in the maritime region of Rio Grande do Norte
By First Lieutenant (RM2-T) Luciana Almeida – Agência Marinha de Notícias / On board the NAM “Atlântico”
The Multipurpose Aerodrome Ship (NAM) “Atlântico” and the Sailboat (NVe) “Cisne Branco” carried out the “PASSEX” exercise in the maritime area of Rio Grande do Norte on Thursday (17). The unprecedented encounter between the ships of the Brazilian Navy (MB) was the result of the Squadron Captain returning from the “Amazon Summit” event in Belém (PA), followed by a mooring in Fortaleza (CE), while the NVe “Cisne Branco” was on its way to the northern region.
The passage exercise was planned in advance in order to promote the unprecedented meeting of the two most iconic MB ships in navigation. “This is the first time that these two great ships of our Navy have met at sea. Both have great significance for the Force. The first because it is the Fleet’s flagship and the second because it has this mission of increasing the maritime mentality in our country,” said the Commander of the NAM “Atlântico”, Captain Mozart Junqueira Ribeiro.
According to the Commander of the NVe “Cisne Branco”, Sea and War Captain Sérgio Tadeu Leão Rosário, this “PASSEX” highlights MB’s ability to conduct multiple missions, with different objectives, in the South Atlantic. “The meeting of these two important ships reflects, in the waters of our Blue Amazon, the noblest and highest sailor sentiments. The NAM ‘Atlântico’ is the symbol of the grandeur of our Naval Power, while the ‘Cisne Branco’ is the living expression of Brazil’s most cherished naval traditions,” he said.
Meeting logistics
The commander of the NAM “Atlântico” explains that this type of exercise usually takes place between ships from friendly navies, when they sail through the same region and their routes allow for joint training. “In order to carry out this meeting, before the ‘PASSEX’, the NAM ‘Atlântico’ launched an aircraft to take photographs and then adopted a position a thousand yards astern [behind] the ‘Cisne Branco’ and began an approach from the port side [left]. The ‘Atlântico’ then had to line up with the sailing ship. We left maneuvering priority to the ‘Cisne Branco’, in view of its peculiarities, such as hoisting the sail, the need for positioning in relation to the wind and the meteorological issue,” explained Commander Mozart.
About the ships
The NAM “Atlântico” was designed to control maritime areas and project power over land, sea and air. It is also suitable for humanitarian missions, helping victims of natural disasters, evacuating personnel and peacekeeping operations. The NVe “Cisne Branco” performs diplomatic and public relations functions, and its mission is to represent Brazil at national and international nautical events, disseminate the maritime mentality and preserve naval traditions.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias