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EU Naval Task Force Pirate News Roundup
Rewritten news releases from the EU Naval Task Force operating off the coast of SomaliaEU Naval task force reports two pirate forces attacked, and two hijacked vessels spotted off the coast of Somalia. On Saturday, April 24th Dutch warship HNLMS Johan de Witt reported intercepting a pirate force trying to leave Somalian waters. Spokesman Major Theo Mestrini said the Dutch warship approached the Somali vessel, known as a "whaler", and noted it was equipped for piracy. According to the Major, the suspected Somali pirates were surprised to be approached. The whaler was seized and hoisted aboard the warship. Five suspected pirates were returned to Somalia. The is the second time in four days a pirate force was intercepted by the HNLMS Johan de Witt. The HNLMS Johan de Witt is a Rotterdam class amphibious frigate, not normally used in its current role interdicting boats close to shore. In other action, Spanish Santa Maria class frigate Victoria intercepted a pirate force 40 miles ( 64 km ) off the coast of Somalia northeast of the Seychelles. The force consisted of a mother ship, a whaler and two skiffs. A helo crew from the Victoria which spotted the force noted the mother vessel was not equipped for fishing, but had a large number of barrels and an amount of equipment used for piracy, such as ladders and presumably grappling hooks. The Victoria closed the group's position. The suspect vessels were boarded without opposition from the crew. After confirming the intent of the group, the Somali sailors were placed aboard one of the skiffs, and given enough materiel to return to Somalia. The ship then proceeded to destroy the seized vessels. In other EU NAVFOR news:
Posted by: badanov 2010-04-29 |
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