As the Harrier II Plus fighter rips down the runway and launches into the skies on a mission to Libya, chaplain Vincenzo Caiazzo is on deck in his dog collar to see it safely off.

The amiable chaplain has been with the ITS Garibaldi -- the flagship for NATO's embargo mission -- since October, when he signed up to provide troops on the light aircraft carrier with psychological support.

"It's a whole other world. There are exciting moments and others when some of the guys feel frustrated or homesick," said Don Vincenzo, who swapped his parish in southern Italy for masses held amidst acrid oil fumes in the bowels of the flattop.

"He brings us a welcome oasis of calm," said one young officer as another fighter shot off down the 174 metre long (570 foot) runway with a shuddering roar, sending shock waves through the Garibaldi.

Normality, for those manning the enormous carrier, is blaring sirens, blinking warning lights and sailors sprinting up ladders, down warren-like corridors and into crowded control rooms.

Political spats about the cost and wisdom of taking on Libya are not an issue on board ship, where radars scan the sea for suspect vessels and helicopters and fighters engaged in civilian protection touch base.

"I've just got back off a mission, we're going to have a quick debrief and then a much-needed wind down," said a tired-looking pilot after clambering out of his tiny cockpit and collapsing in a chair in the mess room.

Though the details of his sortie were confidential, an official in the command centre who asked to remain anonymous said it had been "successful", though he would not confirm reports the jet had deployed one of its missiles.

With faith in the 28-nation alliance shaken in recent days by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates' stinging rebuke over cuts for essential munitions, NATO's response has been to show off its operational capabilities.

"We prioritise agility and flexibility to allow us to move assets around all the time and best engage Libyan targets," Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard told reporters during a press tour of the ship.

In the waters north of the Gulf of Sirte, the Garibaldi continued to carry out surveillance and strike missions while crew showed the press how they boarded suspicious ships and carried out search and rescue operations.

Over 1,250 vessels have been hailed by NATO embargo ships during the Libyan mission, 85 of which were boarded and eight of which were then denied passage to or from Libya to prevent cargoes like oil from falling into the wrong hands.

As reporters crowded onto the upper deck, marines took command of an "enemy" frigate, sailing down ropes from a hovering Sea King helicopter onto the suspect vessel and swarming aboard from a speed boat which bounced alongside.

Marco Tomassetti, the Garibaldi's captain, said the work his men were carrying out had a direct impact not only on reducing the flow of arms but also in helping humanitarian missions to access citizens caught up in the fighting.

"Misrata port has been practically under siege. The port is now open and humanitarian assistance is now getting through," he said.

But it is not all plain sailing. Lieutenant Dave de Kruijff from the Royal Netherlands Navy said that the task of ensuring safe passage for aid workers and commercial ships was made more difficult by mines and home-made bombs.

"There is a growing threat of water borne improvised explosive devices, which forces loyal to Kadhafi have been trying to use against our boats carrying humanitarian assistance into Misrata," he said.

Though de Kruijff said minesweepers had just finished securing Misrata port, they were unable to enter the breakwaters because of the danger from shelling, "meaning that some explosives may still be out there."

"Water borne IED's are very cheap and very easy to use," he said.

But Tomassetti was confident that the alliance could face Libya's challenges, despite warnings from the top echelons at NATO that Europe is lagging behind on assets.

"We've got enough boats and planes -- nothing gets in and out of Libya without our knowledge. No one knows how long this is going to take, but we're in for the long haul," he said.

As evening approached, sailors wolfed down risotto, pasta and profiteroles made in one of the ship's four kitchens before crashing out in front of a film, unwinding with a game of table football or working out in the gym.

According to Don Vincenzo, one of the best moments on board is in the early morning, when the helicopter blades are stationary and the sea is calm and those who want to can go for a run along the flight path in the sun.

"I tend to use those quiet times to make my way around the ship, checking in with the younger crew members. It's easy to feel lost on a boat this big, but they know where to find me," he said.

"I'm either chatting in the common rooms or hearing confessions in my cabin!"

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