EU NAVFOR warship disrupts two pirate groups within two days

EU NAVFOR warship disrupts two pirate groups within two days

2010-11-05 00:43:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

SOMALIA (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) on Thursday announced that its SPS GALICIA warship disrupted two pirate action groups within two days with the support of an EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA).

On November 2, the EU NAVFOR warship was patrolling along the Kenyan coastline when a merchant vessel approached the warship and reported that it was attacked twice. The attacks were unsuccessful and the merchant vessel reported to be safe.

The SPS GALICIA was located approximately 75 nautical miles from the spot were the attacks took place and was immediately tasked with finding the pirate skiffs involved in the pirate attack. With help from the French Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft and it sown helicopter, the Spanish-flagged warship relocated one pirate skiff.

The SPS GALICIA's helicopter successfully intercepted the skiff and the warship's crew boarded the pirate vessel. The boarding team found one fuel drum, several jerry cans, ladders, and 7 people. Many weapons and one orange tarpaulin were thrown overboard by the suspects and witnessed by the helicopters.

The following day, the helicopter of the Spanish-flagged vessel located two more suspicious skiffs that were sailing with ladders, jerry cans and powerful overboard motors. One of them was quickly intercepted but the other managed to flee.

In total, 11 suspected pirates and 2 skiffs were secured. The absence of flagrante delicto did not make it possible to pursue prosecution. One skiff was confiscated and suspected pirates were sent back to Somalia. This disruption hampered pirate action and avoided highly probable attacks on merchant and vulnerable vessels.

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