Suspected pirates tries to escape

While EU NAVFOR Warship FGS EMDEN was proceeding to the last known position of a pirate attack  reported by the Spanish fishing vessel ALBATUN 2, on the 18th of March, her helicopter found one whaler and two attack skiffs with twelve persons onboard.

When the suspected pirates noticed the presence of the helicopter, they tried to escape, and it took warning shots to stop them fleeing. They then jumped overboard and swam to their mother ship. More warning shots were required to stop the whaler that tried to escape as well. As a result of this action, two attack skiffs were destroyed and grappling hooks were seized.

Two days later the EMDEN’s helicopter discovered a new PAG, consisting of one mother ship (whaler) and two skiffs in tow about 250 nautical miles from Somali coast. Initially, the mother ship refused to stop and to follow the instructions given by the helicopter. Warning shots were necessary to stop them and finally a boarding team was sent onboard the PAG. The boarding team destroyed several weapons, grappling hooks and ladders and afterwards the two skiffs were destroyed as well.

This operation is a part of a coordinated operation planned and directed by EU NAVFOR staff embarked in EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA, to disrupt pirate activity.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing off the Somali coast.

Picture Gallery:

FGS EMDEN towing Dhow towards Yemen

On 19th February the EU NAVFOR German warship FGS Emden was tasked to investigate a dhow and a skiff acting strangely in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).

It was noticed that the dhow was “dead in the water” and had not moved for some time. An investigation team from Emden boarded the dhow and confirmed that it had been abandoned by the crew who had taken off in the fishing skiff. The engine on the dhow was unserviceable and it was decided to take it in tow and out of international waters as a safety precaution to other ships in the area.

The EU Force Headquarters onboard the Italian warship ITS ETNA, contacted the owner of the dhow and arranged to return it on the evening of the 20th February. The dhow was towed towards Yemeni territorial waters near the town of Ash Shihr and handed over to a grateful owner.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.
Picture gallery:

VPD on watch on MV Masar Trade

On the 28th of January, the World Food Programme (WFP) Motor Vessel M/V MASAR TRADE started her transit north from Mogadishu to Berbera, a port in northern Somalia, in order to deliver goods and humanitarian aid.

At the beginning of her transit, she was escorted by the EUNAVFOR Greek warship HS SALAMIS. On 6th of February, the EU NAVFOR German warship FGS EMDEN took over this responsibility, in proximity of Socotra Island, and escorted the M/V to the northern Somali port of Berbera. On completion of cargo unloading, the vessel was escorted back to southern Somalia by EMDEN.

During both escorts, EUNAVFOR Warship FGS EMDEN transferred a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) to the M/V MASAR TRADE. VPDs provide extra protection to these slow vulnerable ships whilst sailing the pirate infested waters off Somalia.

Under protection of the Naval Forces there were no incidents during both transits along the coast.The master of M/V MASAR TRADE was grateful for the assistance provided by EUNAVFOR and stated that “It is the first time that I have felt safe while sailing in Somali waters”.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation Atalanta’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

Picture Gallery: