The training ship of the Croatian Navy (HRM) “Andrija Mohorovičić” with a crew of 54 (49 of the Croatian Armed Forces, and five members of the Border Police unit) commanded by Lieutenant (N) Stjepan GILJEVIC left the Lora Navy Port in Split on 30 July to take part in the EU-led Joint Operation “Triton”.
The send-off ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Ante Kotromanovic, the Chief of General Staff of General Staff, General Drago Lovrić, the Commander of the Croatian Navy, Commodore Predrag Stipanović, the National Security Advisor to the President, Josip Buljević as the Envoy of the President of the Republic of Croatia, the Assistant Minister of the Interior Nebojsa Kirigin, and members of the Navy and the Ministry of Interior.
“Andrija Mohorovičić” will assist the Italian authorities/ protect the maritime border and rescue the immigrants in the Mediterranean in the period from August – October 2015, as one of 27 countries which deployed expert personnel and technical assets in the Operation. 
Defence Minister RH Ante Kotromanović expressed support to the Ship’s crew, stressing the benefit from the Operation Triton in terms of knowledge and the experience useful in the future service. „Upon the entry of the Republic of Croatia into the Schengen area the Croatian forces will be expected to further build on their knowledge and experience, to develop the capabilities for autonomous control of the national borders, the maritime space. The participation in the Operation Triton is a valuable opportunity for progress in that regard. The Ministry of Defence is committed to building the capabilities of the Coast Guard and the Navy for the future, and is constructing patrol boats and procuring off-shore patrol boats and themissile capabilities.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Drago Lovrić, underlined that the departure of the Croatian Navy’s ship to take part in the Operation “Triton” into the Mediterranean,outside the Croatian territorial waters, into a demanding humanitarian operation such as „Triton“ was an important day for the Croatian Armed Forces  “The Croatian soldiers are prepared to operate worldwide to contribute to peace and stability, taking part in operations such as Triton in the Mediterranean Basin”, stated General Lovric.
The Croatian Navy Commander, Commodore Predrag Stipanović stressed that the operation will  require specific expertise and the skills from all participants to respond to the challenges inherent in the operation.
“I am convinced  that you will put your knowledge, abilities, humanity and commitment to overcome any obstacle in the exercise of the mission”, concluded Commodore Stipanović.
“Andrija Mohorovičić” is a Moma-class ship constructed in the Stocznia Północna Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland in 1971. It was in the operational use since 1972, and in the Croatian Navy since 1991. Its length is 73.3 m, the beam 10.8 m and the draught 3.9 m. The standard displacement totals 1,260 t and full 1,538 t respectively and the speed 17 knots, and it is armed with two 20-mm naval guns.