On the occasion of the visit and docking of the Italian Coast Guard ship "Bruno Gregoretti" in the port of Larnaca between 20 and 23 of November, joint activities took place within the framework of the excellent cooperation between the two countries, especially in Search and Rescue.
Specifically, information visits were carried out on board the Italian ship and at the JRCC premises, during which it was given the opportunity for information exchange on the way the SAR Systems of the two countries are organized and operated, while the mission and capabilities of both the JRCC and the Italian ship were presented. At the same time there was a constructive discussion and exchange of views on issues related to SAR and the increasing migratory flow in the Mediterranean.
Also, on Tuesday 23 November 2021, a small-scale Search and Rescue Exercise called "CYPIT - 01/21" was planned and carried out. The exercise was executed in a sea area within the Search and Rescue Region of responsibility of RoC with the participation of the Italian ship and a helicopter of the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit, as well as of a specialized nurse of the Ambulance Service.
The Italian ship, which is the first Italian Coast Guard ship sailed to Cyprus, is currently operating in the sea area of the South-Eastern Mediterranean for the benefit of the European Union's programme to combat illegal fishing.
