Two Pirate Action Groups ( PAG ) were interdicted in two separate actions according to a new release from EU NAVFOR.
- A skiff with seven suspected pirates was intercepted outside the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) Tuesday after it was spotted by a recon helo.
The helo was an element of a Japanese task force which was escorting a small convoy through the IRTC. The action took place about 50 nautical miles south of Al Mukalla, Yemen, last Tuesday according to the news release.
The Greek warship HS Elli responded to a request for assistance by the Japanese, closed and then fired on the skiff in order to force it to halt.
During the chase the suspected pirates were observed throwing items overboard. After the Elli fired on the skiff with its main gun, the skiff heaved to and its crew surrendered to the Greek sailors.
After a brief investigation the skiff was released. It is unclear as to the fate of the seven Somali mariners.
- A PAG was intercepted approximately 400 nautical miles north west of the Seychelles.
A combined force consisting of one Swedish crewed maritime patrol aircraft, the French warship FS La Fayette and the Dutch warship Johan De Witt was used in the operation.
According to the report, after the Swedish patrol aircraft spotted a PAG Wednesday morning, the EU NAVFOR command ordered the La Fayette to intercept.
The PAG comprised a whaler and two skiffs with 12 crew total. The whaler and a skiff heaved to, but one skiff attempted to outrun the La Fayette.
The skiff was finally halted during a chase after a French sniper disabled the skiff's two engines.
Aboard the disabled skiff were discovered a quantity of arms and ladders. The equipment was seized and the Somali sailors placed under arrest.
The HNLMS Johan Dewitt provided assistance in this interdiction operation, according to the news release.
In other news:
- A South Korean tanker, the MV Ocean Trader, evaded a hijacking attempt Wednesday morning, according to a EU NAVFOR news release.
The attack took place approximately 200 nautical miles north west of Comoros Islands. The crew were reported unharmed.
The Ocean Trader displaces 39,000 tons. No other details about the hijacking attempt were made available.
- A Liberian flagged Russian operated tanker was hijacked Wednesday morning, according to a EU NAVFOR news release.
The Moscow University was seized by Somali pirates approximately 350 nautical miles east of Socatra. The tanker was heading east and was bound for China. The tanker, displacing 106,474 tons, has a compliment of 23 sailors.
According to the news release, the Moscow University "was not registered with Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) for their recent transit through the IRTC but they had reported to UKMTO."
According to reports from elsewhere, a Russian warship is said to be en route to the reported location of the hijacking. No other details were available.
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