Portuguese Navy's Day 2023
Between the 18th and 21st of May 2023, the Navy Day Celebrations took place in the city of Porto. During these days it was possible to visit the various exhibitions, participate in various activities, watch operational demonstrations and the Military Ceremony. During these days, the navio-escola NRP Sagres, the frigate NRP D. Francisco de Almeida and the ocean patrol vessel NRP Sines were also moored next to Cais da Ribeira. These 3 vessels were open to visits.
The exhibitions were spread between the Maritime Police Pier and the Infante D.Pedro Park. At the Maritime Police Pier, it was possible to see the equipment and vehicles used by various Navy forces, such as the LARC-5 amphibious vehicle and the semi-rigid patrol and boarding boats, equipment and weapons used by the Marines and DAE, the various UAV and USV systems, among others. The Navy also promoted various activities such as diving, climbing and visiting the vessels.
At Parque do Infante D.Pedro, it was possible to see some light land and naval assets that represent the Navy's rapid mobility, such as the Yamaha Rhino buggy, a semi-rigid boat and watercraft from the Maritime Police and a 4x4 Polaris buggy and motorbike belonging to the Marines.
On the 21st, after the Military Ceremony, there was a demonstration of the capabilities of the Navy and National Maritime Authority.
1st Activity: Military personnel from the Boarding Platoon are placed via fast-rope from a Lynx Mk95 on a vessel considered hostile. After ensuring the safety of the vessel's deck, the remaining elements of the Maritime Police's Grupo de Ações Táticas (G.A.T.) carry out the approach using semi-rigid boats and, together with the Fuzileiros, guarantee the safety of the remaining vessel and proceed with the arrest of the crew.
2nd Activity: Marines simulate an infiltration into hostile territory, using the Lynx Mk95 helicopter, where they initially launch inflatable boats and later jump from the helicopter that hovers at a low altitude. After this, the Marines prepare the vessel and proceed with the assault. In order to support this force, other soldiers are quickly equipped with a 4x4 Polaris buggy, using the suspended load capacity of the Lynx. This allows a quick response from these forces.
3rd Activity: The Lynx crew also demonstrates their skills in Search and Rescue, rescuing a shipwrecked man using a winch.
At the end of the demonstration, two Lynx Mk95 perform a small aerial display, ending with a salute to the tribune and audience present and the many small watercrafts used on the demonstration paraded in front of the old building of Alfândega do Porto.
On May 25th, it was possible to photograph the departure of NRP Sagres in the early hours of the day, thus marking the end of the Portuguese Navy's visit to the North and the city of Porto.
See more photos here:
