Spanish patrol boat Centinela

Centinela is an oceanic patrol vessel that operates primarily in Spanish maritime sovereignty, especially within the country's exclusive economic zone. It was designed to operate in open ocean even in adverse weather conditions. The ship conducts surveillance and maritime security missions, such as reporting on suspicious activities, combating violations of maritime law, and maintaining national security. In addition to this role, Centinela also acts as a training ship for naval school Midshipmen, provides a Spanish naval presence in foreign ports, and participates in public affairs missions.^[1]

Centinela was built in Ferrol by Navantia in 1990. The ship was launched in October of that year and began sea trials on 27 August 1991. Initially, her home port was in Las Palmas, Canary Islands; she received her battle ensign from the town council on 9 July 1995. In 2011, her home port moved to Ferrol, Galicia.^[1]

Centinela has been involved with numerous international training exercises, especially with coastal African countries. In 2010, the ship led flight deck training with ships from Senegal and the United States conducting maneuvering, firefighting, and replenishment on board Centinela. Sailors from Togo and Tanzania also participated in the training.^[3] In 2015, Centinela again conducted joint exercises with Senegal, this time in Dakar, focusing on knowledge sharing between Navy divers.^[4] On 10 October 2017, the ship joined French and African vessels in anti-piracy training as a part of the Grand African Navy Exercise for Maritime Operations.^[5]

In 2017, Centinela was involved in an incident on 4 July during which it was closely intercepted by HMS Sabre in British Gibraltar's territorial waters, which strobed lights and instructed the vessel to leave.^[6]