The helicopter from the EU NAVFOR Italian ship ITS LIBECCIO and the pirated dhow towing a whaler and two skiffs

On 29 September, the EU NAVFOR Italian ship ITS LIBECCIO freed an Iranian-flagged pirated dhow, which had been located off Tanzania yesterday by an EU NAVFOR French Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA).

The French MPRA located the dhow towing a whaler and two skiffs, indicating that it had possibly been pirated. The MPRA maintained surveillance until ITS LIBECCIO arrived in the area and launched her helicopter to investigate.

Warning shots were fired from the helicopter in an attempt to stop the dhow. The dhow initially refused to stop and was shadowed overnight by ITS LIBECCIO. The pirates finally agreed to surrender on the morning of 29 September, after radio contact was established between warship and Iranian-flagged pirated dhow which confirmed there were 10 pirates and 7 crew members.

EU NAVFOR forces continue to actively assess and respond to this ongoing operation.

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Portuguese P3- CUP

On Friday 20 August, the Portuguese Maritime Patrol Aircraft Detachment, based in Seychelles, performed its last flight over the Somali Basin, as part of the EU NAVFOR Task Force.

 The crew and the aircraft have now headed back towards Portugal, after 4 months of operating in the Theatre. This was a very active period, during which the aircraft flew 320 hours, with an average of 10 flights per month, each of which lasting on average 9 hours.

 In his farewell signal, EU NAVFOR Force Commander Philippe Coindreau stated “As a maritime patrol aircraft pilot myself, I know how demanding your mission was. As you know, air assets are vital in this operation, especially in the Somali Basin where you operated. Your high competence and continuous dedication have made it possible for you to provide us with excellent imagery and reports. Once again thank you on behalf of all the Force, and I wish you a safe trip back home”.

 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). EU NAVFOR furthermore protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. Finally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

Portugese, Spanish and French MPRAs in Djibouti

Focus on the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircrafts, constantly operating for EU NAVFOR – Somalia in cooperation with warships.

On the airfield of French Air Force Base of Djibouti – Base Aerienne 188, the Portuguese, Spanish and French MPRAs are ready to take off (picture).

Their main mission is to fly over the theatre of operation, detect suspicious skiffs, and guide warships to their position. They are also able to collect intelligence on some specific areas. The aircrafts are equipped with several advanced surveillance systems which significantly enhance EU NAVFOR’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability in the Somali Basin and in the Gulf of Aden.  Their speed and high level of endurance make them a key asset in a wide area comparable to that of the Mediterranean Sea.

Until this date, the MPRAs of Luxembourg, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden and Portugal have been operating together with EU NAVFOR warships. The MPRAs usually take off from Djibouti, Mombasa (Kenya) or Port Victoria (Seychelles).

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 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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All the suspected pirates are clear and the boarding team starts to investigate the whaler

Following hot on the heels of EU NAVFOR French ship Tonnerre’s success, who earlier today (1st May) tracked down and destroed a mother ship, EU NAVFOR FS La Fayette destroyed another Mother ship and held another 9 suspected pirates for questioning.

A helicopter from the La Fayette spotted a pirate action group (PAG), with one mother ship and one skiff, in the Indian Ocean, between Mogadishu and the Seychelles.

When detected, the suspected pirates tried to escape and threw paraphernalia over board. The helicopter fired warning shots and the mother ship finally stopped.

La Fayette then did an unopposed boarding and found evidence to show the intention of the suspects to commit piracy. Nine individuals were held for further investigation and the mother ship was destroyed. The skiff was taken onboard La Fayette, as evidence.

This is the second successful disruption on the same day which continues to show EU NAVFOR’s more offensive strategy is working. The joint action by EU NAVFOR’s French warships Tonnerre and La Fayette and Maritime Patrol Aircraft from the Seychelles was evidence of excellent teamwork and a determination to fight these criminal acts.

In another action today, a unit from Task force 508 (NATO) disrupted a PAG and held 5 suspects. EU NAVFOR works closely with other coalition forces in the area (including CMF) and sharing assets such as EU NAVFOR’s  Maritime Patrol Aircraft, makes for a potent and extremely effective combination in fighting piracy.

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.

Nivose helicopter and boarding parties

EU NAVFOR has continued activities designed to disrupt and destroy Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) with combined sea and air operations in the Somali Basin.

On 4 April, the Swedish Maritime Patrol Aircraft located two suspect ships 270 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, composed of one mother ship and one attack skiff.

EUNAVFOR French warship FS NIVÔSE was vectored onto these craft and intercepted the suspected pirate vessels. NIVÔSE launched its helicopter and additionally sent a boarding party which subsequently apprehended 7 suspect pirates and found small arms, an RPG and ladders. This is the fourth such successful interception by NIVÔSE since joining the EU NAVFOR operation.

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

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EU NAVFOR Swedish Maritime Patrol Aircraft

In the early hours of 31 March the MV EVITA, a Sierra Leoone flagged production tanker of 9897 deadwieght tonnes (and owned by UAE), was attacked approximately 350 nautical miles north of the Seychelles, by a Pirate Action Group (PAG) consisting of 3 attack skiffs.

The PAG fired on the EVITA but the attack was unsuccessful and the ship evaded the pirates.

The Swedish EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft responded to the report of the attack and located the EVITA.  The MPA has coordinated a response with nearby Combined Maritime Forces who are now investigating a PAG in the vicinity. It is understood that there were no casualties and no damage to the vessel.

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

HNLMS Tromp

Continuing success by EU NAVFOR over the last 24 hours by Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and EU NAVFOR HNLMS Tromp, has led to the detention of 10 suspected pirates and the destruction of a Pirate Action Groups (PAG).

On 28th Mar, the EU NAVFOR Swedish Maritime Patrol aircraft (MPA) located a PAG almost 700 miles east of Mogadishu and informed the Force Commander onboard the Italian warship ETNA. The Force Commander, Admiral Giovanni Gumiero tasked TROMP with intercepting the PAG. EU NAVFOR warship TROMP launched her helicopter and forced the suspected pirates to stop their skiffs. A boarding operation was conducted and 10 suspected pirates were detained. A large number of fuel barrels were found and destroyed. Two attack skiffs were also destroyed and the suspects were provided with sufficient fuel and water to reach the coast in a third boat.
 
During this period of highly successful disruption operations, EU NAVFOR French, Spanish, German and Dutch warships and Maritime patrol Aircraft from Sweden and Luxemburg have interdicted some 17 Pirate Groups, accounting for more than 131 suspected pirates with HNLMS Tromp alone accounting for the apprehension of 61 suspected pirates.

 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.

Vessel AL ABI

This afternoon, 29th March, the EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from the Seychelles supported the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel Topaz to locate and apprehend a hijacked ship.

Robust action from the Topaz ensured the release of 27 hostages: 9 pirates have been captured. Early this morning, 29th March, the EU NAVFOR Force Commander, Rear Adm Giovanni Gumiero, tasked the Seychelles Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to support the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel Topaz in an anti piracy operation against three hijacked ships.

It had been reported that a Pirate Action Group (PAG) hijacked a Motor Vessel ARZOO with 14 Indian nationals onboard. EU NAVFOR had been monitoring its movements and noticed that 2 days ago the vessel was abandoned by the pirates near to the Seychelles when the vessel ran out of fuel.  The crew were released unharmed. They hijacked another ship (fishing vessel) called GALATE and set course for the northern Somali basin. The Swedish MPA monitored the movements of this vessel and reported to the EU NAVFOR Force HQ. At this time the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel Topaz was vectored onto the position. The EU NAVFOR Luxemburg MPA then arrived and provided cover and positional information to the Topaz.

At about midday, it appears that the F/V GALATE  was too small for the pirates who abandoned this vessel and took control of another ship called the MV AL ABI. They took the crew of the GALATE with them.  There were by now 6 Seychelles hostages from the GALATE, 21 (15 Iranian, 6 Pakistani) from the AL ABI and 9 pirates. The Topaz then made is presence known to the pirates and demanded it to stop. Warning shots were fired so the pirates placed the hostages on the upper deck and appeared to be threatening them. Topaz decided to use disabling gunfire against the AL ABI and the vessel was hit below the water line and it began to sink. All personnel jumped overboard and were rescued unharmed by the Topaz.

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

Skiff destruction

On 12^th March, after receiving a report from MV E.R. LUBECK (Liberian Flag, German owner), that pirates in 2 skiffs had tried to hijack her, COMEUNAVFOR initiated a surge operation to intercept and disrupt the PAG.

The EU NAVFOR Flagship ITS ETNA tasked the EUNAVFOR Swedish and Luxemburg Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and EUNAVFOR Warship HNLMS TROMP against the PAG consisting of one mother skiff and two skiffs.

The attack on the LUBECK took place almost one thousand miles from the Somali coast and HNLMS TROMP proceeded at best speed to assist. The EU NAVFOR MPA continued to track the PAG and vectored the warship onto the suspected pirate position.  

On the 14^th of March, on arrival at the scene of action, HNLMS TROMP launched her helicopter, located a skiff and was forced to fire several warning shots before the 10 metres long mother ship (whaler) stopped. A boarding party soon took control of the boat with two persons onboard. HNLMS TROMP continued to search the area and, the following day, found two suspicious skiffs with 7 persons onboard about one hundred nautical miles from the whaler. Some equipment had been jettisoned but ladders and weapons were found onboard the skiffs. All equipment was confiscated and the mother ship was destroyed.

At about the same time as the TROMP was disrupting her PAG, and approximately one hundred nautical miles North West of the SEYCHELLES, the Seychellois Coast Guard PB ANDROMACHE was guided by EU NAVFOR MPA onto another mother ship and 2 skiffs, who were believed to have been involved in an attempted hijacking on a Spanish tuna Fishing Vessel TXORI ARGI the day before.  After that attack, the EU NAVFOR MPA monitored the PAG and was able to direct the Seychelles Coast Guard on to the approximate position of the attack. 8 suspected pirates have been taken into custody.

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.

EU NAVFOR destroys more suspected pirate skiffs

EU NAVFOR units operating in the Somali Basin, between the Seychelles and the Somali coast, have discovered more suspected pirate activity.

In an area close to the disruption of 5 pirate attack groups by EU NAVFOR at the weekend, EU NAVFOR German warship FGS EMDEN intercepted a suspect pirate group consisting of a mother ship and two skiffs.

The pirate mother ship was first detected in the late  hours of 11 March by the EU NAVFOR Luxemburg Patrol aircraft who directed the EU NAVFOR German warship Emden onto the pirate group. On approach by Emden, two small skiffs attempted to flee the scene and pirate paraphernalia consisting of ladders and hooks were seen being jettisoned overboard.  EMDEN’s helicopter eventually rounded up the trio and boarding parties were sent onboard. All suspected pirates have now been returned to the mother ship, one of the skiffs has been sunk and EU NAVFOR ships EMDEN has retained the third skiff as evidence. 

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