Constant vigilance

Anticipating that the pirates will not take a break over the holiday period, neither will the EU NAVFOR units patrolling around the Horn of Africa and in the Somali Basin.

Whilst back at home in Europe the families of the deployed EU NAVFOR personnel celebrate this very special season of the year, the crews of all ships and aircraft of the entire EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA Task Force off the coast of Somalia maintain their guard at sea and continue with their duty of securing the safe transport of food to the people of Somalia. With this decision, the Naval Force underlines the commitment of the European Union to ensure the safe arrival of humanitarian aid, so desperately needed by thousands of suffering Somali people. In addition to the escorting of merchant vessels chartered by the World Food

Boarding of a skiff

Programme, EU Naval Forces also continue to counter the threats imposed by Somali pirates on the international shipping community in a combined effort with other multinational Naval Forces in Indian Ocean. Currently, out of the 27 Nations contributing to the Operation, Sailors and soldiers from 13 different nations will be active at sea in Operation ATALANTA, maintaining the force at the highest readiness level.

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.

]]> http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/12/eunavfor-maintaining-guard-at-sea-over-christmas/feed/ 0 http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/12/merchant-ship-crews-held-hostage-in-somalia/ http://www.eunavfor.eu/2011/12/merchant-ship-crews-held-hostage-in-somalia/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:13:13 +0000 EU NAVFOR Public Affairs Office http://www.eunavfor.eu/?p=9695

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.

EU & Kenya co-operate to prosecute pirates

As part of its mission Op Atalanta, the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) is charged with helping to deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. EUNAVFOR has to date transferred 9 groups of suspected pirates totalling 75 individuals to the Kenyan authorities for prosecution.

Handover of suspected pirates to the Kenyan authorities takes place in Mombasa.  The suspected pirates will arrive, either by sea or air, in Mombasa where Kenyan police and state prosecutors will be presented the proposed case for prosecution.  Having reviewed the evidence and, assuming that the Kenyan prosecutors consider the case is suitable for prosecution, the suspected persons will then be arrested by the local authorities.

Kenyan law requires that the accused persons appear before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest by the Kenyan police.  Trials typically commence eight to ten weeks later.

Prosecutions are conducted by Kenyan Prosecutors under Kenyan Law before a single magistrate. EUNAVFOR officers work closely with Kenyan prosecutors, ensuring the attendance of witnesses, both military and civilian, from many different nations and assisting in evidence gathering and preparation of the prosecution case.

The maximum sentence upon conviction for piracy offences in Kenya is life imprisonment; under Kenyan Law – and indeed as a precondition for suspected pirates being transferred by EUNAVFOR – capital punishment is not available.

Cases are conducted in English, however, a Somali language interpreter is present at all proceedings.  Given the international nature of piracy offences, other interpreters may also be present to allow witnesses to give evidence.

In all cases the accused persons have had the benefit of professional legal representation.  Although the Kenyan legal system does not provide for legal aid in piracy cases, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has funded defence representation through independent legal advice organisations such as the East Africa Peace Institute Trust and Kituo Cha Sharia.

While the accused person’s trial is ongoing, they will be held at Shimo la Tewa Prison, 20 km North of Mombasa. Facilities at Shimo La Tewa have improved significantly as part of the European Commission and UNODC’s joint programme to enhance criminal justice capacity in Kenya and other nations in the region. Improvements at Shimo la Tewa include improvements in sanitation and water supply, the development of a welfare service to provide prisoners with basic necessities, the provision of educational and sports equipment, improvements in medical care and the reconstruction of the prison kitchen.  The programme has also seen substantial investment in both training and facilities at other Kenyan prisons, as well as for the Kenyan Police, Prosecutors and Court System, including the rebuilding of the court house at Shimo La Tewa.

Judgment in the first EUNAVFOR case is due to be delivered on 27 August 2010, with a number of other judgments expected in the weeks thereafter.

Schleswig-Holstein on patrol

In the early hours of 28 June, pirates took control of the MV Golden Blessing approximately 90 nautical miles off the northern Somali coast. On notification from the Master of the MV Golden Blessing that pirates were on board, the EU NAVFOR German warship Schleswig-Holstein immediately launched their helicopter and reported sighting suspected pirates on board the MV Golden Blessing.

The MV Golden Blessing, a Singapore flagged tanker with deadweight of 14445 tonnes, was carrying a cargo of glycoethelen. The MV Golden Blessing has a crew of 19 Chinese; there are no reports of injuries. The vessel is under pirate control and is now moving towards the  Somali Coast. EU NAVFOR is monitoring.

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:

EU NAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral Jan Thornqvist (left) presents the EU NAVFOR crest to Rear Admiral Beom Rim Lee

The EU NAVFOR Force Commander hosted the Force Commander of Task Force 151, the Combined Maritime Force off Somalia, on board the EU NAVFOR Flag Ship HSwMS Carlskrona on Monday 31 May 2010.  The Force Commanders expressed content with the very good level of co-operation between the two forces and agreed on further development.

The Force Commander of Combined Maritime Force (CMF) Task Force 151, Rear Admiral Beom Rim Lee expressed his satisfaction regarding the good level of co-operation between the forces off Somalia.  He also expressed hope for enhanced co-operation with the single-nation forces in the area – China, India, Japan and Russia.

Discussions took place on anti piracy operations in the Somali Basin and the Gulf of Aden, as well as on the coordination of the forces patrolling in the IRTC (the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor).  Both commanders expressed content with the level of co-operation with the third multinational force; the NATO Task Force 508.

The possibility of exchange officers between the two forces was also discussed; EU NAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Jan Thörnqvist welcomed the idea as a way of further developing the relationship between the forces. The issue will be discussed further.

Force Commander TF 151 Rear Admiral Beom Rim Lee and his delegation were given a tour of the flag ship and the EUNAVFOR Force Headquarters Maritime Operations Centre (FHQ MOC), of particular interest was the helicopter solution on board HSwMS Carlskrona.

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

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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. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

Danish warship HDMS Absalon

The hijacked M/V Asian Glory put to sea on Friday 29 January from the Somali coast and headed south to rendezvous with suspected pirate groups in the Indian Ocean. On Saturday 30 January, she headed north and eventually made a rendezvous with the hijacked Dhow Faize Osamani.

The Faize Osamani was last reported leaving Karachi, bound for Mogadishu with a cargo of rice, on 28 November 2009. The ship’s Master, an all crew Indian crew of 14, reported to the owner that the ship had been hijacked on 6 January 2010 off Kismayo on the Somali coast. The pirated Faize Osamani was spotted by EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) approximately 150 nautical miles North East of Socotra, off the Horn of Africa and appeared to be dead in the water.

At the rendezvous position, the Asian Glory remained close by until the pirates from the Faize Osamani transferred to Asian Glory after which she got under way and headed for the Somali coast. Whilst EU NAVFOR MPA monitored the situation, a coalition force ship, HDMS Absalon of NATO TF 508 came to the assistance of the Faize Osamani and rendered medical and engineering assistance. After some small repairs and minor medical attention, the Faize Osamani proceeded on her voyage.

Asian Glory has arrived at the Somali coast once more and is thought to be anchored off the port of Garacad, north of Hobyo.

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

M/V FELITSA refuelling

The Bulk Carrier Filitsa, hijacked in the Somali Basin on 11 November 2009, has been released after payment of a ransom.  The Marshall Island Flag Filitsa, with her crew of 22 (19 Filipino and 3 Greek) had been held at the pirate stronghold of Hobyo, on the Somali coast.

Before proceeding on her way the ship required fuel to continue her journey. EU NAVFOR Greek warship Salamis, who was in the area at the time, provided support to the ship and barrels of fuel were transferred.The crew were confirmed to be well and the ship has now continue her voyage.

EUNAVFOR SOMALIA Operation ATALANTA main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.

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Captain (N) Richard Farrington of the EU NAVFOR received the Award (middle)

On Wednesday 9 September, the winners of the Lloyd’s List Global Awards were presented wtih their trophies at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. EU NAVFOR was presented with the Lloyds List Innovation Award for the excellent contribution they give to security and safety of Merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden by hosting the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) website www.mschoa.org.

There were a number of other award categories, for example Training Award, Shipping Lawyer of the year, Shipmaster of the Year, Safety at Sea etc. EU NAVFOR won the category “Innovation” that complements the previous award for the MSCHOA website that EU NAVFOR received from Safety at Sea International Awards in June 2009.

The web-based service has been created to assist ships that transit the Gulf of Aden, Horn of Africa and the Somali Basin, to provide assurance against piracy in the region by coordinating maritime forces to protect shipping. It has been developed in consultation with the IMB, IMO, UKMTO and Merchant Navy Liaison Officers.

Captain (N) Richard Farrington of the EU NAVFOR received the Award from the master of ceremonies Alistair Campbell and stated:

“We are delighted with this prestigious award. European Union Naval Force, EU NAVFOR, the first European Union maritime naval force is working alongside with our colleagues from NATO, Combined Maritime Forces and several navies to combat piracy. MSCHOA is an important tool in our efforts to work closely with industry and supports our aim to protect shipping and deter, prevent and disrupt piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali basin.”

Further Information

• Lloyd’s List
• Lloyd’s List – Global Awards

July, 19th., three separate Task Forces with different mandates have proven that the international community stands shoulder to shoulder in combating the scourge of Piracy. On 19 July COMEUNAVFOR, Captain Juan Garat (ESPN), had a meeting on board his flagship, EU NAVFOR SPS NUMANCIA in the Gulf of Aden with his counterparts, Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group SNMG2, Commodore S J Chick (RN), and Commander of Combined Task Force 151, RAdm. Caner Bener (TUN).

The Commanders of the three Tasks Forces operating in the Horn of Africa and off the coast of Somalia reaffirmed their views that they were working closely together to fight Piracy and allow international merchant shipping safe passage to transport their cargos all over the world without hindrance or danger from seaborne criminals.

During the meeting, the Force Commanders and their staffs provided briefings on areas of operation to improve the coordination and deconfliction when separate units operate in the same area. The meeting demonstrates that these Forces have an excellent working relationship where unprecedented coordination greatly improves their ability to deter or catch Pirates and bring them to justice. Captain Garat stated that “the close cooperation between all units in the Gulf of Aden has been the key to fighting piracy in the region”.