FGS LUEBECK and the Indian dhow

After three days of persistent pressure, FGS LUEBECK has forced Somali pirates to release an Indian dhow with 15 Indian mariners held as hostages.

On the 17 January 2012 the EU NAVFOR warship FGS LUEBECK re-located an Indian registered dhow which had been used as pirate mother-ship involved in the attack on M/V FLINTSTONE early the same day. A Dutch Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) stationed on the Dutch-registered civilian fall-pipe vessel had repelled the attack following a gun-fight and caused the attack skiffs to retreat back to the pirate mother ship with injuries to the suspected pirates.

Having positively identified the dhow and sighted the attack skiffs and other pirate paraphernalia on deck of the dhow, FSG LUEBECK approached the dhow demanding that they comply via radio messages.

Released Indian dhow

The vessel did not react to radio calls or to subsequent warning gunshots. Sustained pressure was applied to the dhow through the presence of FGS LUEBECK including direct shots fired into the bow of the dhow and use of the ship’s helicopter to neutralise the attack skiffs secured on the upper deck.

Throughout the action the safety of the hostages was the primary consideration, especially as the suspect pirates threatened to kill all crew members and to fire on anyone attempting to board the dhow.

During the night of 19 January 2012, FGS LUEBECK established control of the situation to allow the M/V ENRICO IEVOLI, an Italian tanker which had been pirated in December 2011, and has 18 hostages onboard to rendezvous with the Indian dhow. On arrival the pirates again threatened that they would harm all the hostages if any military action was taken to prevent a transfer of pirates who had been injured during the initial attack on the M/V FLINTSTONE.

The FGS LUEBECK maintained an overt presence and following the transfer, was able to board the Indian dhow to assure the health and safety of the crew as well as providing technical assistance. The 15 released crewmembers were all in good health. This action has denied the suspect pirates the use of the dhow as a mother-ship and freed the crew from what could have become months of captivity. The injured suspected pirates were seen to have transferred to the M/V ENRICO IEVOLI which is being shadowed as it returns towards Somalia.

Suspected pirates surrender

At first light on 12 January 2012, having just completed the escort of a World Food Programme ship carrying food-aid into Somalia and while operating close to the Somali port of Mogadishu, the EU NAVFOR Flagship, the ESPS PATINO, was approached by one skiff with a group of suspected pirates onboard.

The suspected pirates opened fire with light calibre weapons and tried to board the PATINO. The ship’s force-protection team returned fire in self-defense and the ship’s helicopter was launched.

The skiff broke off the attack and the men surrendered to the helicopter after throwing their weapons, ladder and fuel barrels overboard.

Suspected Pirates transferred to RHIB

Five of the six men who were in the skiff had received injuries, two of which required medical treatment onboard the ESPS PATINO.

 Investigations are ongoing to check whether the suspect pirates’ report that a seventh man who had been in the skiff and who was lost overboard during the attack are correct.

Rear Admiral Christian Canova (left) handing over to the new Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Endres

Rear Admiral Christian Canova (French Navy) hands over the responsibility of Deputy Operation Commander of the European Union Naval Force Somalia, Operation ATALANTA to Rear Admiral Rainer Endres (German Navy) on 12 January 2012 at the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood, near London.

Joining EU NAVFOR – ATALANTA in July 2011, Rear Admiral Canova added this duty to an impressive career including three commands at sea and three operational duties in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. His comprehensive knowledge of NATO and EU policy was beneficial to the overall mission.

The Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Duncan L. Potts, bid farewell to Rear Admiral Canova saying:

“I have greatly appreciated your support, drive and enthusiasm which have gone a long way to moving the mission on. I have enjoyed working with you very much and wish you every success in your next appointment.”

Handing over his duties to Rear Admiral Endres, Rear Admiral Canova thanked Rear Admiral Potts and said:

“Being part of the command group of EUNAVFOR during the last 6 months has been challenging but also personally very rewarding. In my time EUNAVFOR enforced the UNSCR resolutions maintaining an impressive success rate of success of 100 per cent protecting WFP vessels delivering food for Somali people. We continued to secure the transit corridor in the Gulf of Aden and ATALANTA largely contributed to achieve to lower the success rate of attacks as well as the number of ships and hostages held by pirates by dynamic counter piracy actions during the last inter monsoon period. It was an honour and a pleasure to serve such a gallant officer as Rear RN Admiral Duncan Potts, COMEUNAVFOR. To my successor, Rear Admiral Endres, I wish the best of luck in directing and guiding EUNAVFOR future operations.”

Rear Admiral Endres was Commanding Officer of FGS THETIS and Principle Warfare Officer on the destroyer FGS LUTJENS. Later he served as Personal Assistant to Commander 1st Destroyer Squadron, commanded the destroyer FGS ROMMEL and was given command of the 2nd Frigate Squadron based in Wilhelmshaven. His on-shore appointments have included a number of appointments in the German Ministry of Defence and the position as Head of Division at NATO Component Command Maritime HQ Naples, responsible for Policy, Plans & Concept, Military Cooperation and CIMIC. He served as well as Director Naval Development, Training and Education at the German Naval Office in Rostock, Germany.

Assuming the appointment as Deputy Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Endres said:

“It is a great honor for me and I feel proud having been appointed as Deputy Operation Commander EU NAVFOR Somalia. First of all I would like to thank my predecessor Rear Admiral Christian Canova for a professional and comprehensive hand over. During his tour of duty Operation ATALANTA has not only successfully continued to provide protection to WFP shipping at a time when the humanitarian situation in Somalia had seriously deteriorated, but has also achieved outstanding success in disrupting and containing piracy in the Horn of Africa. Moreover, we have seen crucial and promising steps forward in developing new options enhancing our ability in the ongoing fight against piracy. I am very much looking forward to working together with the professional, capable and highly motivated men and women here at the multinational EU Operation Headquarters in Northwood, abroad and at sea to further build on this. I am convinced that the EU with its unique combination of political, economic and military potential is a decisive player in the international fight against piracy in the Horn of Africa.”

EU NAVFOR conducts counter-piracy in the Indian Ocean and is responsible for the protection of World Food Program ships carrying humanitarian aid for the people of Somalia and the logistic support vessels of the African Union troops conducting Peace Support Operations in Somalia. Additionally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

The Shiuh Fu No.1 fishing boat, pirated Christmas Day 2010; the whereabouts of the crew of 13 Chinese, 12 Vietnamese and 1 Taiwanese mariners is unknown

While the issue of piracy off the coast of Somalia has received significant coverage over the past 4 years, with the exception a number of high-profile individuals, the fate of the merchant crews which make up the majority of those held hostage, is not often considered or reported.

This humanitarian tragedy is especially pertinent over Christmas, a time when families normally gather to celebrate.

There are currently 199 men and one woman held hostage in Somalia following the pirating of their ships in the Indian Ocean and all are being held against their will to be used by criminal gangs as part of a ransom business. Since the start of the EU NAVFOR counter-piracy mission in December 2008, a total of 2317 merchant seamen have been held hostage for an average of nearly 5 months. The longest period in captivity is 19 months for the 24 crew members of the M/V ICEBERG 1, who are still being held.

The PRANTALAY 12 fishing boat, pirated 18 April 2010 and beached on 14 July 2011. 5 of the crew died in captivity, 1 is missing and 4 remain in Somalia following the release of the remainder.

It is estimated that at least 60 merchant seamen have died as a result of their captivity in the hands of the pirates and many more have suffered torture and abuse. 49 of the 200 hostages are held without the collateral of a ship, following the ship sinking or being abandoned which means that their future is less clear as their value is seen as less than that of a ship. Additionally, a recent tactic of the criminal gangs has been to agree to the ransom payment for the return of ship and crew and then hold-back some of the crew when the ship is released to use to negotiate for the release of convicted Somali pirates from the home country of the detained crew members. Currently 4 South Korean and 7 Indian crew members from the M/V GEMINI and the ASPHALT VENTURE are held following the release of the ships.

Today, there are 3 ships abandoned and derelict on the beach, creating a source of potential pollution, whilst their crews, totalling 54 men, remain in captivity.

Piracy in the Indian Ocean affects us all, adding a significant cost to every barrel of oil and every 40ft container which passes through the area. The navies of the world have between 20-30 warships in the region and for the people of Somalia, piracy means that even essential food-aid provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) has to be escorted to prevent the delivery ships being captured.

In the longer term the underlying causes of the piracy crisis need to be resolved within Somalia but at present, the situation for the 200 hostages remains uncertain.

Fishermen provided with food before being transferred to FGS KOELN

On 4 October 2011, the EUNAVFOR warship FGS KÖLN came to the rescue of five Somali fishermen drifting in the Indian Ocean in a broken-down fishing whaler and returned them safely to the shore.

The Somali fishermen has been drifting for nine days following the breakdown of their engine and without any communication equipment available to call for help, had built a makeshift sail and try to head for land but were making little progress.

The fishing whaler was detected by a Spanish Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPA) which was operating as part of the EUNAVFOR counter-piracy operations in the area and the German warship FGS KÖLN closed from over 100 miles away to render assistance.

Technicians from the KOLN inspected the engine but it was beyond repair so the fishermen were taken aboard FGS KÖLN, given food and fresh water and transported to the Somali coast where they have been landed safely. This incident demonstrates the versatility of the military presence provided by EUNAVFOR and the swift response by the crew of the MPRA and the KOLN undoubtedly saved the fishermen’s lives.

Destroyed suspect whaler

On September 29 the EU NAVFOR warship FGS KÖLN located and destroyed a suspicious whaler close to a beach off Somalia, 100 nautical miles SW of Mogadishu.

A helicopter was dispatched to inspect and found the whaler loaded with equipment usually related to piracy on board.

No crew was seen on board. Consequently, the whaler was destroyed to prevent any potential future use for piracy.

This action continues EU NAVFOR’s robust stance against piracy and the intention to interdict and disrupt pirate activity.

Video of disruption

Suspicious Skiff

EUNAVFOR warship FGS KÖLN has today, 28 September, stopped and boarded a suspicious group of two small boats, a whaler and skiff.

The suspicious boats were located by FGS KÖLN 70 nautical miles South West off Mogadishu, Somalia, 30 miles off the coast. A helicopter was sent to inspect the group of boats and 12 people with equipment usually associated with piracy were seen on board. The boats refused to stop when hailed. KÖLN’s helicopter fired warning shots ahead of the skiff which caused the boat to stop.

Before the boats could be boarded by teams from FGS KÖLN, the crew of the boats started to throw weapons and other items overboard. The skiff, whaler and their engines were destroyed to prevent any potential future use for piracy and the men released close to the shore.

This disruption has undoubtedly hampered potential pirate action on merchant shipping and vulnerable vessels in the area.

EU NAVFOR Somalia is a counter-piracy taskforce operating in the area of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean responsible for deterring, preventing and repressing acts of piracy, for the safe escort of ships carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to protect other vulnerable vessels. Additionally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

 

SPS GALICIA

On 10 September EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA assets intercepted and forcibly stopped a suspected Somali Pirate skiff which was involved in the abduction of a crew member from the French Sailing Yacht (SY) TRIBAL KAT. The successful operation resulted in the safe release of Mrs Colombo, who was unharmed. Seven persons suspected of carrying out the pirating and abduction have been detained.

On 8 September, responding to a distress call, the EU NAVFOR Flagship FGS BAYERN located the SY TRIBAL KAT off the coast of Yemen. During an inspection of the yacht, the crew were found to be missing.
A search of the Gulf of Aden by a United States Navy maritime patrol aircraft and ships and helicopters of the EU NAVFOR located a suspicious skiff on 10 September. Helicopters from the FS SURCOUF and SPS GALICIA were tasked to intercept the skiff and noted suspicious activity onboard.

Using warning shots, SPS GALICIA’s helicopter attempted to stop the skiff, which was closing the Somali Coast, but this initially was not heeded. Subsequent gunfire forced the skiff to stop.
An armed boarding team from the SPS GALICIA approached the skiff and the suspected criminals opened fire on them. Following an exchange of fire the skiff capsized.

Mrs Colombo was immediately recovered uninjured. The seven suspected criminals were also recovered from the sea by the boarding team and transferred to the SPS GALICIA. It has subsequently been confirmed that the other crew member of the SY TRIBAL KAT, Mr. Colombo, was killed on 8 September when the SY TRIBAL KAT was attacked by suspected pirates.

Mrs. Colombo has been transferred to FS SURCOUF by helicopter for onward repatriation to France. The seven suspected criminals, three of whom sustained minor wounds during the hostage rescue operation were treated onboard the SPS GALICIA and have now been transferred to the FS SURCOUF.

Investigations continue to determine the details of the incident so that criminal prosecutions can be pursued. The yacht TRIBAL KAT is being sailed to a safe port by a crew from the FS SURCOUF.

Rear Admiral Potts (left) with Lieutenant Colonel Adeline at the Coast Guard Base

Hosted by a number of the Republic of Seychelles Ministries and the South Asia and Africa Regional Port Stability Cooperative (SAARPSCO), the conference was a valuable opportunity for discussions and developing professional relations with regional government representatives as well as international maritime industry and business leaders.

At one of the panel sessions entitled “The Operational Response to Piracy”, Rear Admiral Potts was joined by representatives from NATO and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and gave a presentation on the current EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta.

During the conference, Rear Admiral Potts met with James Michel, President of the Republic of Seychelles, Minister Jean-Paul Adam (Minister for Foreign Affairs) and Mr Philippe Michaud.

This meeting was followed up by talks with Brigadier Leopold Payet, Chief of the Seychelles People’s Defense Forces (SPDF) HQ and other Ministers before a visit to the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) Headquarters in Port Victoria. The visit was hosted by Lt Col Georges Adeline who briefed on the work of the SCG and showed Rear Admiral Potts a number of captured skiffs and mother ships which have been used as evidence in piracy trials. In addition, Rear Admiral Potts visited the Luxembourg Marine Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft detachment at their base on Eden Island to be briefed on their ocean surveillance capabilities.

The Seychelles are a major partner to EU NAVFOR Atalanta and are wholly committed to combating piracy. The SAARPSCO is a regional maritime community comprising some 30 countries within the rim of the Indian Ocean. The organisation was founded by the United States Coast Guard and is striving to advance and shape a coordinated international maritime engagement and to achieve maritime safety and security throughout the region.

EU NAVFOR Somalia is a counter-piracy taskforce operating in the area of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean responsible for deterring, preventing and repressing acts of piracy, for the safe escort of ships carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to protect other vulnerable vessels. Additionally, EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia

The SY TRIBAL KAT was located on 8 September, by the  EU NAVFOR warship FGS BAYERN, who responded to a distress call from the yacht and located off the coast of Yemen. At that time and following an inspection of the yacht the crew could not be found. Today EU NAVFOR warship SPS GALICIA, with support from EU NAVFOR warship FS SURCOUF, located and trailed the skiff. SPS GALICIA then forced the skiff to stop. One of crew members was released safely and all of the suspect criminals were detained. The other crew member is believed to have been killed when the suspects boarded the yacht.

The skiff has subsequently sunk, however all persons, were safely recovered by a boarding team from SPS GALICIA. All are on board the SPS GALICIA while investigations continue to determine the facts of the incidents. During the operation the hostage was not wounded or injured all the suspect criminals were detained unharmed.

EU NAVFOR Somalia is a counter-piracy taskforce operating in the area of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean responsible for deterring, preventing and repressing acts of piracy, for the safe escort of ships carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to protect other vulnerable vessels. Additionally, EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia