A suspected Pirate being transfered to the Seychellois authorities

11 suspected pirates detained by the EUNAVFOR Spanish warship, ESPS CANARIAS on 28 March 2011 were today transferred to Seychellois legal authorities for possible prosecution. The suspected pirates were detained by the EUNAVFOR warship after they allegedly threatened a Seychelles-flagged fishing vessel 260 nautical miles North West of the Islands.  The transfer has been made possible due to the agreement between the EU and the Seychelles.

EUNAVFOR 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). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

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ESPS CANARIAS arrives in the Seychelles with the suspected pirates onboard

Princess Anne, Minister Morgan and the EU NAVFOR Luxembourg aircraft detachment

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne commended the efforts of all those involved in helping to combat piracy in Seychelles during visits made yesterday to meet representatives from EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles Coastguard.

Following the Royal Party’s return from Praslin, where they met members of the local community and visited the Vallee de Mai, The Princess and Vice Admiral Laurence were accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs, Environment and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan and the British High Commissioner, Mr. Mathew Forbes, to a purpose built EU NAVFOR aircraft hangar at Seychelles International Airport.

“EU NAVFOR is very honoured to welcome today Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Laurence as part of their visit to Seychelles. Seychelles is one of our most important partners in the region and we’re proud of the work we’re doing together to fight against the piracy threat in the Indian Ocean. I am working hand to hand with the Seychelles Coastguard, to ensure our forces operate jointly every day when in the vicinity of the Archipelago,” said Lieutenant Commander Richard Sturman.

On arrival the Royal Party were given a briefing on EU NAVFOR’s operations by Luc Audoore Detachment Commander (EU NAVFOR Luxembourg Detachment) outlining the co-operation between the EU nations and Seychelles to combat piracy. The briefing included details of the joint EU NAVFOR /Seychelles operation to rescue seven Seychelles fishermen on 19 and 20 November.

“Today we had the chance to visit the joint facilities at the airport that EU NAVFOR have and The Princess Royal had the opportunity to see for herself the types of work done and how the element of air surveillance contributes to the overall efforts against piracy. I think she has gained a greater understanding of the entire work done, which involves a very close partnership between the Seychelles Peoples Defence Forces and EU NAVFOR,” said Minister Morgan.

Not only is Seychelles a strong partner for EU NAVFOR on counter-piracy operations, but it also plays a major role on the legal aspects: eleven Somali pirates who were transferred by EU NAVFOR under the standing agreement were recently sentenced to six years each by the Seychelles Court.

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EU NAVFOR French E-3F SDCA

The Seychelles Coast Guard apprehended a total of 16 suspected pirates the last five days after being cued each time by two EU NAVFOR aircraft.

On 18 November, the Seychelles Coast Guard successfully intercepted one whaler and one skiff, with five suspected pirates onboard.

This first operation took place after the EU NAVFOR French E-3F SDCA aircraft was launched to search for a Pirate Action Group (PAG) that was suspected of carrying out two unsuccessful attacks on fishing vessels the previous day. When it arrived in the area, the aircraft spotted three suspicious radar contacts, which were then investigated by the EU NAVFOR Luxembourg Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA). It confirmed that it had found a PAG, 300 nautical miles South West of Port Victoria (Seychelles), comprising a whaler and two skiffs. The Seychelles Coast Guard, guided to the PAG’s position by the EU NAVFOR MPRA, intercepted the whaler and one skiff, with a total of five suspected pirates onboard. The other skiff fled the scene.

On 20 November, a second combined operation between EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles Coast Guard led to the interception of one PAG, made up of a whaler, one pirated fishing vessel and two skiffs, carrying a total of eleven suspected pirates and seven hostages onboard.

This second operation was possible after the EU NAVFOR French E-3F SDCA aircraft, and the EU NAVFOR Luxembourg MPRA, located a PAG, approximately 250 nautical miles North West from Port Victoria, also suspected of carrying out an unsuccessful attack on a Spanish fishing vessel the previous day. The Seychelles Coast Guards, guided by EU NAVFOR units, headed toward the PAG and found a fishing vessel towing a whaler and two skiffs. A successful boarding operation from the Seychelles Coast Guard led to the release of the seven Seychellois fishermen held hostage and the arrest of the eleven suspected pirates. 

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Inspection of paraphernalia by Rear-Admiral Bauza (former EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander) and French Ambassador H.E. Philippe Delacroix on 17 March 2010

EU NAVFOR welcomes the first judgment yesterday in a Seychelles prosecution in connection with the interdiction of a pirate group by an EU NAVFOR warship.

“This first conviction of pirates transferred by EU NAVFOR to the Seychelles marks an important step in the co-operation between European Union and the Republic of Seychelles in the suppression of acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia”, comments Major General Buster Howes, Operation Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia.

The conviction involved eleven Somali men accused of acts of piracy. The judge, His Lordship Judge Burhan, delivered the verdict at the Seychelles Courts on 3 November, sentencing the eleven Somali pirates to prison sentences of six years each, with a reduction for time spent on remand.

The conviction relates to the attack on the Spanish Fishing Vessel INTERTUNA 2, on 5 March 2010.

The Pirate Action Group activities detected in the Somali basin, approximately 350 nautical miles off the Somali Coast, led to an immediate response by the EU NAVFOR French warship FS NIVOSE who was tasked to investigate in the area. She eventually intercepted and boarded two skiffs and a whaler, in an area clearly linked to the unsuccessful attack on the fishing vessel. The whaler was destroyed and the warship took on board the two skiffs, detaining the 11 suspected pirates. With the evidence gathered and presented to the Seychelles authorities, it was approved for the 11 detainees to be flown on 17 March from Djibouti to the Seychelles for prosecution.

EU NAVFOR has to date arrested 92 individuals, of which 11 were transferred for prosecution in the Seychelles national courts. With this judgment, 43 of the 92 individuals arrested by EU NAVFOR have now already stood trial and been found guilty.

Prosecution was conducted by a Prosecutor of England & Wales who is qualified to appear in the Seychelles Court and played an important role in the timely and efficient management of the trial. The Defence Counsel was appointed by the United Nations – this is a common practice to help ensure the suspect persons have access to free legal representation and thus a fair trial. The case was conducted in English. However, language interpreters were present for the Somalis, as well as for the Spanish, Italian, and French witnesses.

The maximum sentence upon conviction for piracy offences in Seychelles is 30 years; under Seychelles Law – and indeed as a precondition for all suspected pirates being transferred by EUNAVFOR – capital punishment is not available.

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From left to right: Mr. Joel Morgan, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Transport of the Republic of Seychelles, French Ambassador H.E. Philippe Delacroix, and Rear-Admiral Philippe Coindreau, EU NAVFOR Force Commander, on board EU NAVFOR Flagship FS DE GRASSE

In late October, the EU NAVFOR Flagship conducted a port visit to the Seychelles. Rear-Admiral Philippe Coindreau, EU NAVFOR Force Commander, met with Mr. Joel Morgan, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Transport of the Republic of Seychelles.

The Minister and some Coast-Guard Officers were welcomed on board the EU NAVFOR French Flagship. The Force Commander gave Mr. Joel Morgan an update on the operation, focusing on recent disruptions conducted close to the Seychelles. Minister Morgan expressed his strong determination to fight against this major threat to the Seychelles and to improve the cooperation between the country and EU NAVFOR. 

EU NAVFOR Force Commander also met Mr. Lalanne-Lousteau, General Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Mr. Govinden, Attorney General.

During successive visits and meetings, local partners, diplomats and industry leaders, have all declared their deep concern over the problem of piracy and have praised EU NAVFOR for its action.

This port visit coincided with the visit of Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, the Republic of Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister, to the EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood, UK) on 28 October.

At this occasion, Rear-Admiral Thomas Ernst, EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander, said: “EU NAVFOR welcomes the efforts of the Republic of Seychelles, who are directly confronted by the affects of piracy in the region, to take part in the fight against these illegal activities. EU NAVFOR supports regional initiatives to tackle this problem and I know that the European Union in its entirety is working very hard fighting the root causes of piracy in the region.”

Rear Admiral Thomas J. Ernst, EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander (left) and Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, the Republic of Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister (right) in EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood – UK)

On 28 October, EU NAVFOR welcomed Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, the Republic of Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister in its Operation Headquarters (Northwood – UK). The visit was made to provide him with an update on EU NAVFOR’s actions and to discuss the ways to strengthen cooperation between EU NAVFOR and Seychelles.

 “EU NAVFOR’s short-term challenge is to encourage the merchant vessels to better protect themselves while transiting the area, as self-defence is the single most effective counter to piracy attacks”, explained Colonel Richard Spencer, Chief of Staff of EU NAVFOR Operation Headquarters. “For the whole international community, the longer-term objectives must be to help in the matter of regional maritime capacity building, as well as getting the Somali authorities to tackle this problem at source.”

Eleven suspected pirates arrested by EU NAVFOR have been transferred to Seychelles for prosecution and are awaiting judgment (more details here). Not only is Seychelles a strong partner for EU NAVFOR on the legal aspects, but it also plays an operational role in the counter-piracy.

On 29 March 2010, an EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft based in the Seychelles supported the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel TOPAZ to apprehend three pirated ships. This action from the TOPAZ ensured the release of 27 hostages and the capture of 9 pirates.

On 29 May 2010, the Seychelles Coast Guard disrupted 9 suspected pirates after being led to the target by an EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft.

The close cooperation between EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles Coast Guard, combined with the use of a common real-time communication system, “Mercury”, has proven to enable successful actions in counter-piracy operations.

Finally, an agreement recently signed between EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles “SEYPEC” company offers a new refuelling facility to warships in Port Victoria, making of Seychelles a major support base of EU NAVFOR in the southern Somali Basin.

 “EU NAVFOR welcomes the efforts of the Republic of Seychelles, directly confronted with the effects of piracy in the region, to take part in the fight against these illegal activities”, said Rear-Admiral Thomas Ernst, EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander. “EU NAVFOR supports regional initiatives to tackle this problem and I know that the European Union in its entirety is working very hard fighting the root causes of piracy in the region.”

The Republic of Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister expressed his gratitude for the actions conducted by EU NAVFOR to improve security in the Horn of Africa, and confirmed Seychelles willingness to enhance its cooperation in the fight against piracy.

“F44” is a military high flash point kerosene, type aviation turbine fuel, used for military helicopters

On 21 October, EU NAVFOR signed a contract with the Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEYPEC), agreeing on the establishment of F44 helicopter fuel delivery facilities in Port Victoria (Seychelles), at the disposal of all military counter-piracy warships.

“F44” is a military high flash point kerosene, type aviation turbine fuel, used for military helicopters. Payment of F44 will be covered by the warships’ flag nations, to reimburse EU NAVFOR who will own the fuel in the SEYPEC facility. Therefore, with this new contract, EU NAVFOR is providing all counter-piracy warships in the area the possibility to use SEYPEC facilities in Port Victoria to refuel with F44.

This is a considerable new land-based asset for the warships who until now could only refuel with F44 in Djibouti, which is approximately 1,400 nautical miles away from the Seychelles (equivalent to 2,300 km, or around 4 days of transit by ship).

On 23 October, the HMS MONTROSE, operating under the NATO naval force (Task Force 508), was the first ship to benefit from these facilities with a refuelling in Port-Victoria. On 26 October, the EU NAVFOR French Flagship FS DE GRASSE was the second ship and the first EU NAVFOR warship to use the facilities. 

“This new asset will deeply improve the operational capabilities of the counter-piracy naval forces in the Indian Ocean by significantly reducing a logistical constraint for the warships”, explained Major George Wiseman Royal Marines, Logistic expert and Project leader from EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood – UK). “More than a simple fuel facility, it provides greater flexibility and efficiency opportunities to the counter-piracy warships, and thereby the possibility to stay longer at sea to fulfil our mission. This project has been truly collaborative between Seychelles authorities, NATO fuel experts and EU maritime experts.”

Seychelles is already a strong partner for EU NAVFOR. This new capability is making this archipelago a major support base of EU NAVFOR in the south part of the Somali Basin.

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EU NAVFOR Maritime Patroll Aircraft from the Swedish Coast Guard

On Saturday evening, 29 of May, the Seychelles Coast Guard disrupted a Pirate Action Group, including a mother ship with 9 suspected pirates on board and two fast attack skiffs, after being led to the target by an EU NAVFOR maritime patrol aircraft from the Swedish Coast Guard.

On last Thursday, 27 May, an EU NAVFOR maritime patrol aircraft from the Swedish Coast Guard spotted a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG) about 500 nautical miles east of the Somali coast. The PAG consisted of 1 whaler and 2 skiffs. At that time, no units were close enough to verify and control the vessels.

On Saturday morning, the PAG was relocated some 250 nautical miles northeast of the Seychelles. Thanks to the good cooperation between EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) combined with the use of the same system to communicate, Mercury, the task could be easily transferred to SCG.

On Saturday evening, the SCG Patrol Ship Topaz had caught up and could identify the suspected pirate boats. After confirming that they had pirate paraphernalia on board, 9 suspected pirates were disarmed and their two attack skiffs were destroyed. The suspected pirates were then embarked in their mother ship (whaler) and released.

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.

EU HR Catherine Ashton meets the press. Force Commander Jan Thörnqvist to her left and Operational Commander Peter Hudson to her right.

“Piracy is one of the big challenges of our times, both for the region and for the international community.” That is the words of the European Union representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. She visited EU NAVFOR Flag ship HSwMS Carlskrona the Friday 21 of May, during a port visit in Port Victoria, Seychelles.

The High representative (HR) Ashton made an African tour visiting Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles 18-21 May to meet with political leaders of these countries, international representatives and representatives of civil society. In her first visit to Africa, Ashton is particularly focusing on countries in the region affected by piracy off the east coast of the continent, notably Somalia, and explore with them options for effective and sustainable solutions.

During the visit to the Seychelles HR Ashton visited EU NAVFOR Force Headquarters, based aboard the Swedish warship Carlskrona, which conveniently made a port visit at the Seychelles this week. She was welcomed aboard by the Operational Commander Rear Admiral Peter Hudson and the Force Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Jan Thörnqvist. After a short meeting and a lunch she was briefed on the situation in Operation Atalanta and had a tour on the ship where she showed special interest in the Force Headquarters Maritime Operations Centre.

“I’m delighted to be aboard the Swedish flag ship”, HR Ashton said, very content with the meeting. She also expressed her satisfaction with the efforts that are made in the naval force, especially having the limited assets, in relation to the vast area, in mind and said: “I think the operation is going extremely well”.

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 Unions 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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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.