Tag: EUNAVFOR

Released from pirate control after 126 days On the morning of 26 May, the MV KHALED MUHIEDDINE Kwhich was pirated on 20 January 2011 was released from pirate control after 126 days.The crew of 22 Syrians and 3 Egyptians are all well.Source: EU NAVFOR

Operation Commander EUNAVFOR Atalanta

EU NAVFOR cooperates with Seychelles Coastguard to fight piracy During her last visit to the Seychelles, EU NAVFOR Portuguese warship NPR VASCO DA GAMA provided technical assistance to SCGs ANDROMACH patrol vessel.On the morning of the 19th May, a group of Officers and Petty Officers from the EUNAVFOR Flagship, went on board SCG ANDROMACH and shared best practices with the Seychelles Coastguard. The following subjects were covered:Recovery of the electrical winch control of the port mooring-chain.Maintenance procedures and main concerns about the operation and maintenance of the upper deck 20mm gun system.Corrosion prevention and preparation of metallic surfaces of the anchor, deck tools and upper deck husbandry.Rigid-hulled inflatable boat (Rhib) floating parts inspected and analysed. Damaged parts identified and repairing procedures discussed. The visit of EU NAVFOR warships continues to cement a close relationship and enhance co-operation with the Seychelles Coastguard which reinforces the fight against piracy.Source: EU NAVFOR

Patrol with the EU force

A Dhow was suspected of being used as a Pirate Action Group mothership During the afternoon of the 13 May, the EU NAVFOR French warship FS NIVÔSE disrupted a Dhow that was suspected of being used as a Pirate Action Group (PAG) mothership since it was pirated over a year ago.The Dhow, which is suspected of having carried out several recent attacks in the Arabian Sea and which still has her original crew on board as hostages, was spotted by an EU NAVFOR German Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) earlier the same day. Once identified, the Dhow was tracked by the MPRA which guided the FS NIVOSE into position.In the morning of 13 May, the French warship and her helicopter approached the suspected pirate dhow and ordered her to stop. During the approach, several weapons and two attack skiffs were seen on board the Dhow.As she was considered to pose a very real threat to merchant shipping in the area and after several verbal warnings, the FS NIVOSE was forced to fire warning shots at the Dhow in an attempt to get her to comply. The warning shots were also ignored but the Dhow changed course back toward Somalia.Concerns for ...

Discussion on counter piracy missions On 4 May, the United Kingdom Minister of Armed Forces (Min AF),Nick Harvey MP visited the Operational Headquarters in Northwood, London.Accompanying Minister Harvey were Henry Bellingham MP, Minister of Africa in the Foreign Office and Mike Penning MP, Minister of Shipping in the Department of Transport.The party received an Intelligence update, covering Piracy Threat and Evolution before going onto a round table discussion on Counter Piracy Missions, Military/Industri Activity and Co-operation.On completion of the discussions, the party received a tour of the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) and the Maritime Security Centre, Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).Throughout the visit the ministers were hosted by the Operation Commander, Major General Buster Howes, his Chief of Staff Colonel Richard Spencer and Policy Adviser Mrs Joanne Hamer.Source: EU NAVFOR

It avoided highly probable attacks on merchant and vulnerable vessels On 22 April, the EU NAVFOR French warship FS GUÉPRATTE was tasked to patrol the East coast of Somalia as part of her counter-piracy duties on Operation ATALANTA.During this patrol her helicopter spotted a boat heading east. The photographs revealed the vessel to be a fishing dhow that had been pirated over a year ago and which was suspected of being used as a mother ship for Pirate Action Groups (PAG).The vessel was carrying a fast attack skiff (used to attack merchant vessels) on her deck and was seen to have Rocket Propelled Grenades and small arms on board. She was suspected of carrying out a number of attacks on merchant vessels and had been used to resupply other pirate vessels in recent months.F/S Guepratte tracked the Dhow from a few miles away and monitored here activity until the next morning. At dawn on 23rd April, the French warship and her helicopter closed with the suspect vessel in attempt to stop her escaping to sea and posing a real threat to merchant vessels in the area. The dhow immediately altered its course and fled westwards back towards Somalia. The frigate ...

26 April 2011 update EU Navfor has issued a press release concerning the estimated total number of hostages held and the total number of vessels under pirate control.To view the press release please click hereSource: EU NAVFOR

25 personnel on board On 30 April, the product tanker MV GEMINI was pirated approximately 180 NM East of Malindi, Kenya.The 20,989 tonne, Singaporian flagged and owned vessel was on its way to Mombasa (Kenya) from Kuala Tanjung (Malaysia) when it was attacked.The MV GEMINI has a crew of 25 (4 Korean, 13 Indonesians, 3 Mayanmar, 5 Chinese). There is no further information about the crew at present.The MV GEMINI was registered with MSC(HOA) and was reporting to UKMTO.EUNAVFOR are continuing to monitor the situation.Source: EU NAVFOR