Commander
Luis Pedro Pinto Proença Mendes
Commanding Officer of N.R.P. "Sagres"
Commander Luís Pedro Pinto Proença Mendes was born in Luanda (Angola) and is the Commanding Officer of N.R.P. "Sagres" since November 06, 2007.
CDR Proença Mendes joined the Portuguese Navy on 1984, as a Naval Academy Cadet, between 1984 and 1989. He attended the General Staff Course at the Portuguese Naval War College in 2000 and was promoted to his present rank on May 11, 2005.
He also took the Navigation specialization course in 1990/1991 as well as other necessary courses to perform the different duties that he has been carrying out in his career.
When he was promoted to ensign on 1989, he became crew officer of "Sagres" as electrotechnics, artillery and public relations officer. He returned on 1991, after the specialization, to be the navigation and public relations officer. In this ship, he made several training voyages, like one to North Africa and North Europe (5 months) and another one to the east and west coasts of North and Central America (8 months). In 1993 he became the navigation officer of the frigate N.R.P. "Álvares Cabral", having participated in the Operational Sea Training of the British Navy, in several national and international naval exercises and in the operation Sharp Guard on the coast of former-Yugoslavia. In 1996 he was assigned to teach navigation at the Naval Academy and in 1999 he assumed a leading post at the studies and planning department of Direcção de Faróis (the Portuguese lighthouse authority). Subsequently he detached to the Hydrographic Office in 2004 to lead the Navigation Division.
By the time he incorporated N.R.P. "Álvares Cabral" crew, he also performed the functions of Staff Navigation Officer (1995) supporting NATO’s force command in the operation Sharp Guard. Also in addiction, he was the executive officer of the Naval Academy sail training ship N.R.P. "Vega" (1996-1998) and the Sub director of the Calouste Gulbenkian planetarium (1998-2003). From 1999 to 2007 he participated actively in the International Association of Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) works, where he performed the role of vice-chairman of the Aids to Navigation Management Committee.
During his career he was distinguished with several commendations and was awarded the following medals: Distinguished Services Military Silver Medal, Military Merit Military Medal 2nd class, Military Merit Military Medal 3rd class, Naval Cross 3rd class and Exemplary Conduct Military Silver Medal. In 2005, he was awarded by the President of Portuguese Republic with the Military Order of Avis degree's of officer.
CDR Proença Mendes is married to Maria Vanda and has three children - Francisco, João Afonso and Duarte.