suspected pirate escorted from German frigate to Kenyan police

For the first time a vessel of the EU Naval Force Atalanta handed over arrested pirates to the Kenyan authorities for prosecution.

Nine suspected pirates were arrested by the crew of the German frigate FGS RHEINLAND-PFALZ one week ago on 03^rd March after their unsuccessful attack on the merchant vessel MV COURIER in the Gulf of Aden. They were handed over to Kenya after the frigate arrived in Mombasa port on 10^th March 2009. All previously confiscated material and equipment, including the skiff, was handed over as well.

This handover became possible after a corresponding agreement between the European Union and Kenya was signed in Nairobi just a few days ago.

RHEINLAND-PFALZ arresting the suspected pirates

RHEINLAND-PFALZ arresting the suspected pirates

Early this morning the German warship RHEINLAND-PFALZ and the American destroyer MONTEREY successfully fended off a pirate attack on the German owned MV COURIER as it transited through the Gulf of Aden.

On receiving the alarm call both warships launched helicopters to assist the besieged vessel that was transiting through the safety corridor en route to the United Arab Emirates with its cargo of steel.

The pirates abandoned their attack soon after the aircraft arrived “on scene” and the RHEINLAND PFALZ’s Sea Lynx pursued one of the two escaping skiffs for over 10 miles, firing warning shots to stop the vessel before the warship closed in to board and search it. It is understood that the remaining skiff was chased and stopped by the MONTEREY and its helicopter and a number of suspects apprehended.

A total of nine suspects were arrested and a large amount of fuel, weapons and ladders were discovered and confiscated. The MV COURIER was undamaged and no casualties were reported among the 18 man crew.