The event took place during the visit to Spanish combat supply ship ‘Cantabria’, which was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy for several months
Admiral Santiago Bolíbar welcomed the participants from the first Australian Leaders Programme to the Navy’s Headquarters at Naval Station Rota in Cádiz. SACF’s delegation travelled there to visit the Spanish combat supply ship ‘Cantabria’, which was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy for eight months in 2013. As well as using the ship for logistics support tasks, the Royal Australian Navy were also afforded the opportunity to assess and analyse the ship’s capacities over an extended period of time with a view to replacing their own ships, as well as holding group training sessions with the Spanish crew who travelled to Australia and members of the RAN.
During their meeting with the Admiral of the Fleet, the Leaders discussed interesting issues such as the close bilateral relations in this area, which according to Admiral Bolívar is based on the fact that the two countries share similar interests. After the official welcome, the group visited the ship together with several Navantia team members and Pedro Pérez Seoane, Head of the Security Department of the Bay of Cádiz. The tour included a corporate presentation of the ship’s technical and operational features and the leaders were later shown round the facilities: the cabins, offices, engine room, control and navigation room, infirmary, etc.
After the visit, the MPs and the journalist that make up the Leaders’ group signed the visitors’ book at the Captain’s office. Drinks were then held in the delegation’s honour and attended by the Admiral of the Fleet as well as all the officers. Admiral Bolívar wished the Leaders an excellent stay in Spain and said he hoped the Leaders Programme in general and the visit to Cádiz would serve to strengthen relations between the two countries.