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.

MV BLIDA

The 20,586 tonne Bulk Carrier  MV BLIDA, Algerian flagged and owned, was pirated on the 1st of January 2011 approximately 150 nautical miles South East of the port of Salalah, Oman, while enroute to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from Salalah, Oman.

EU NAVFOR Somalia is a counter-piracy taskforce operating in the area of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean responsible for deterring, preventing and repressing acts of piracy, for the safe escort of ships carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to protect other vulnerable vessels. Additionally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia

PETRA 1 and AMISOM-RHIB's

EU NAVFOR warship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA left Mombasa’s waters last week to assume the escort of merchant vessel PETRA 1 which carries supplies for the African Union troops operating in Somalia as part of the AMISOM force.

The journey is from Mombasa to Mogadishu and in addition to the ship escort, a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) of Uganda’s Army was embarked on the merchant vessel during the escort to optimise the safety of PETRA I. Once PETRA 1 is unloaded, both ships return back to Mombasa.

The Spanish warship joined EU NAVFOR – Operation ATALANTA on 29 August 2011 as part of the multi-national force combating piracy in the area of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The ships and aircraft are responsible for deterring, preventing and repressing acts of piracy, for the safe escort of ships carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and to protect other vulnerable vessels. Additionally, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

The merchant vessels Dream-H (left) and Rozen (near right), sailing for UN World Food Programme with humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons in Somalia, was escorted by EU NAVFOR flag ship HSwMS Carlskrona

The merchant vessels Rozen and Dream-H, sailing for UN World Food Programme with humanitarian aid to displaced persons in Somalia, are now safely delivered to Mogadishu after being escorted by EU NAVFOR Swedish flag ship HSwMS Carlskrona.

The flag ship of EU NAVFOR is not only carrying the Force Headquarters, she is also an Ocean Patrol Vessel with a helicopter and a boarding team in addition to own armament. During her first month in the Operation Atalanta she has solved all the different tasks that are normally performed by the units in the force; escorts, patrolling the internationally recommended transit corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, carrying out surveillance outside the Somali coast and boarding suspected vessels. Last week, she escorted ships for World Food Programme (WFP) and AMISOM, the tasks that are the number one and two on the priority list for EU NAVFOR.

Her latest escort protecting MV Rozen and MV Dream-H loaded with WFP humanitarian aid was a golden opportunity for the Carlskrona boarding team to practice boarding and searching the vessels. This was performed in cooperation with the captains of the merchant vessels.

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.

Rear Admiral Bartolome Bauza meets the President of Republic of The Seychelles His Excellency Mr James Michel

On 18 of March at 11.00, the Deputy commander EU NAVFOR Rear Admiral Bartolome Bauza ended a very successful visit to the Seychelles.

The final meeting was with the President of Republic of The Seychelles His Excellency Mr James Michel. During the meeting His Excellency expressed his gratitude for EU NAVFOR’s contribution to anti piracy efforts in the region and the close cooperation with the Seychelles in countering this criminality.

RAdm Bauza also had the opportunity to meet Mr Joel Morgan, the Minister for Environment, National resources and Transport. Mr Morgan is also president of the antipiracy committee and RAdm Bauza expressed EU NAVFOR’s thanks for the excellent cooperation on yesterdays handover of the 11 suspected pirates to the Seychelles for prosecution.

After the meeting with the His Excellency, The President, there was a short informal press conference which the French Ambassador in the Seychelles Mr Philippe Delacroix also attended. RAdm Bauza stated during the press conference that “it is a great honour for me to have met His Excellency the President today. It is important to have such cooperation in the region to counter this scourge of piracy and EU NAVFOR is very grateful for the support provided by the Seychelles to this 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.

Picture Gallery:

Suspected pirates arrives at Seychelles

This morning, 17 March, saw the culmination of highly successful EU NAVFOR pirate disruption activities by the EU NAVFOR French warship NIVOSE against Pirate Action Groups (PAG) operating in the Somali basin, approximately 350 nautical miles off the Somali Coast.

The PAG activities on 4 March led to an immediate response by EU NAVFOR warships and Maritime Patrol Aircraft and the EU NAVFOR Flag ship ETNA despatched NIVOSE to seek out the PAGs operating in the area.  On 5 March, NIVOSE intercepted a PAG and boarded two skiffs and a mother ship. The mother ship (whaler) was destroyed and she took on board two skiffs and detained 11 suspected pirates in an area clearly linked to the unsuccessful attack on the Spanish FV Intertuna 2. With the evidence gathered and presented to the Seychelles authorities, it was approved for the 11 detainees to be flown from Djibouti to the Seychelles for prosecution.

At 14.45 local time the 11 detainees arrived at Seychelles International airport. The detainees were handed over to the Seychelles Authorities. Present at the airport was Deputy Commander EU NAVFOR RAdm Bauza. After the detainees left RAdm Bauza was interviewed by the press and stated: “Today is a good day but you mustn’t forget the people at sea and the Seychelles Coastguard which are doing a wonderful job”.

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.

Picture Gallery:

The President, His Excellency Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Op Comd Rear Admiral Peter Hudson

On the evening of 9 March the President, His Excellency Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and his delegation were greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR – Operation ATALANTA.

The delegation was given a tour of the new offices occupied by the Operational Headquarters within the purpose built Multi National Headquarters. In addition to receiving a briefing on the operation the delegation visited the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).

His Excellency Sharif Sheikh Ahmed had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from EU member states and Merchant Navy representatives.

Following the briefings a reception was held where Rear Admiral Peter Hudson presented the President with a gift of a framed photo of the Spanish warship ESPS NAVARRA escorting a World Food Program (WFP) Ship to Somalia.

The President appeared impressed with the Operational Headquarters and the professionalism of the European multinational anti piracy team and recognised the “extensive efforts” of the international community off the coast of Somalia.  He went on to say that a “permanent solution must be found” to resolve the issue of piracy.

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.

Picture Gallery:

Rear Admiral Peter Hudson with Major General Li Ning (left)

On the afternoon of 2 March, EU NAVFOR hosted a visit by the Major General Li Ning, Defence Counsellor Chinese Mission to the European Union.

The Chinese delegation was greeted by Rear Admiral Peter Hudson CBE, Operational Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA. The delegation was given a tour of the new Operational Headquarters building, specifically designed for Operations and into which EU NAVFOR moved recently. During their visit the Chinese delegation was given a briefing on the operation and EU NAVFOR’s fight against piracy visiting the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) which also houses the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).

Maj Gen Li Ning had the opportunity to meet several of the international staff from many EU member states. He also met the civilian Merchant Navy representatives who run MSCHOA and who work alongside their military colleagues.
The Chinese delegation was extremely impressed with the Operational Headquarters and the professionalism of the European multinational anti piracy team. The Head of delegation stated that he “looked forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with EU NAVFOR and other coalition partners and to strengthening the bonds of friendship between EU NAVFOR and the Chinese task force in the Gulf of Aden”.

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.

Left to right Warrant Officer Lubomir Volny, Lt Col David Peter and Lt Col Podoba

European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) welcomes three military personnel from the Czech Republic: two officers, namely Lt Col Jozef Podoba (Senior National Representative) and Lt Col David Peter, and one NCO, WO Lubomir Volny.

The CZECH Republic has been a member of NATO since 12th March 1999, and of the European Union since 2004. Since the end of January 2010, the Czech Republic has also been involved with the EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA, a military operation with a mandate to protect vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia and to help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. This operation – the European Union’s first naval operation- was established in December 2008 and was scheduled for an initial period of twelve months has now been extended by the council until Dec 2010. During this period up to 12 EU ships and a number Maritime Patrol Aircraft will operate at any one time.

At the present time, eight EU member states are making a permanent operational contribution to the operation: Italy, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg and Greece. Contributions from third countries such as Norway are participating as well. Also, a number of Cypriot, Irish, Finnish, Maltese and Sweden military personnel supplement the team at the Northwood Operation Headquarters, and are now joined by three military personnel from the Czech Republic.

WO Volny is the Assistant Watchkeeper in the Joint Operations Centre, monitoring all ships registered with the Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) as they navigate the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin. Lt Col Peter is working as the Accounting Officer in the Finance Division and manages every payment made in relation to the EU budget for Operation Atalanta. Lt Col Podoba is the Analyst in the Intelligence Division.

Operation Atalanta is endorsed until Dec 2010 and it is understood that the Czech Republic will send up to three military personnel in six month rotations for that period of time. This was the first visit to England for WO Volny, unlike Lt Col Peter and Lt Col Podoba, who had visited on previous occasions. When asked what it was like to work with different members of EU, different military services and civilians in one building, Lt Col Podoba stated that ‘this is not a new experience, as we work in an international environment with counterparts in NATO HQs and EU missions’. Lt Col Peter was impressed with how well so many different nations work together as a cohesive and professional team despite the frequent rotations within members of the staff in this operation. WO Volny gave his compliments with regards to the new building for the Operational Headquarters, which EU NAVFOR moved into on 8th February 2010, and stated that it provides ‘great conditions for work and relaxation’. Lt Col Podoba added the following statement:
‘This is the first Navy mission for the Czech Republic and we would like to maintain the reputation of the Czech soldier among the coalition partners in missions such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. We are ready to support the effort of the HQ in Operation Atalanta and be reliable and valuable team members in the HQ’

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