meanwhile, alfonso xi had sought the aid of the king of aragón and of his father-in-law, king afonso iv of portugal. the latter sent a portuguese naval fleet led by manuel pessanha, admiral of portugal, and additionally paid for the services of 15 genoese galleys led by commander micer gil bocanegra. with the addition of 27 ships hastily completed at seville, the christian fleets appeared in force in the straits in october, cutting off the supply routes between morocco and the peninsula.