Italy has provided the MFO's Coastal Patrol Unit (CPU) uninterruptedly since 1982 and during the period March 2004-2007, the MFO's Force Commander, MG Roberto Martinelli.
The mission of the CPU is to observe and report Treaty related activities and violations at sea, thus providing naval operational support of the MFO mission. In accordance with the Article V of the Treaty and the Protocol, the CPU also conducts naval patrols in the Strait of Tiran and its approaches to ensure that freedom of navigation is maintained.
As additional tasks, the Unit also provides support to the local Egyptian authorities in search and rescue (S.A.R.) operations and anti pollution patrol, which are both institutional duties for the Italian Navy.
The Italian Contingent, currently seventy-eight personnel and three ships is commanded by a Navy Commander; all personnel are part of the Coastal Patrol Unit except one Officer who works in the Liaison branch.
To achieve its mission the CPU conducts the following operations:
Provides maritime presence in the assigned area of operations an average of twelve hours each day using one or more of its three ships. Not less than thirty percent of the total patrolling time is at night.
Maintains at all times one ship "on task" and one "on reserve", ready to sail in less than two hours. The on task ship is either at sea or moored at the CPU compound on thirty minutes notice to sail. The reserve ship is either at sea or moored at the CPU compound on two hours notice to sail.
Maintains a twenty-four hour watch at the CPU Operations Center that ensures constant contact with the Force operations section.
Enhances operational readiness and mission effectiveness operations through a number of cross and joint training exercise with other contingents, such as evacuation by sea in proximity of remote sites.
The CPU also performs missions in support of the Force infantry units to increase overall operational effectiveness in the Southern sector of the MFO area of operations. The substantial amount of joint exercises and their nature provide the perspective necessary for a better understanding of joint operations within a peacekeeping framework.
During an average year the CPU performs maintenance and repair activities on board its ships to maintain the required readiness. Additionally the ships undergo yearly a period of maintenance to a local shipyard for drydocking and required overhauls.
At any one time, the CPU operates three Esploratore-class patrol vessels constructed specifically with the MFO mission in mind. Four vessels--the ITS Esploratore, ITS Sentinella, ITS Vedetta and ITS Staffetta are part of a rotational cycle of deployment that returns one vessel to Taranto, Italy for periodic maintenance. Vessel details follow:
Esploratore class technical data
Displacement:181 tons
Length: 37 meters
Width: 7 meters
Draught: 2 meters
Max speed: 20 kts
Armament:
1 Oerlikon and Radar 20/70 machine gun;
2 MG 42/59 cal. 7.62 mm machine guns;
2 Navigational radars (ARPA MM/SSPN-753B(V) 1A);
Propulsion system:
2 Isotta Fraschini supercharged diesel engines capable of 1540 KW (at 2000 rpm) each;
2 Variable pitch propellers with four blades;
Crew:
16 people (2 Officers, 14 NCO)
Side numbers: P405 (Esploratore), P406 (Sentinella), P407 (Vedetta).
Link: Marina.difesa.it