Rabat – Rescue efforts are still underway for the Moroccan Royal Navy’s P-32 class patrol boat, “Al-Qasid,” which became stranded near the Spanish enclave of Melilla following a technical failure during its departure from the port of Nador last Thursday.
The vessel became stranded in a rocky maritime zone, where strong currents and violent winds further complicated the rescue efforts.
An official statement from the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) confirmed that the Royal Navy Coast Guard unit experienced a sudden technical failure after departing from the port of Nador, leading to the vessel being stranded between rocks due to the harsh weather conditions.
The statement continued, “A specialized maritime unit was immediately sent to provide the necessary support and assistance to the stranded vessel while taking safety conditions into account.”
The Moroccan Military Forum provided additional details, including information from Spanish sources, confirming that the vessel involved is the “Al-Qasid” P211, a second-generation patrol boat commissioned in 1988.
“The incident seems to have been caused by a collision with a rocky object, resulting in engine damage and water infiltration into the hull, without any spillage of oil or gasoline,” the X post stated.
“Spanish authorities provided means of intervention to support the Moroccan rescue efforts to tow the vessel to the second naval base, but the Moroccan side rejected any help, prompting Spain to call back their units,” the post added.
“Rescue efforts are still underway, but there has been no resolution or clear indication of the extent of water leakage, which could lead to the vessel sinking,” the same source concluded.
With rescue efforts still underway, authorities state that they are committed to navigating the challenges and ensuring the safe recovery of the vessel in the coming days.
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