Piracy monitoring group criticizes EU naval force for destroying boat

[News_Editor]

Piracy monitoring group criticizes EU naval force for destroying boat

2011-10-03 07:36:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The piracy monitoring group Ecoterra on Sunday criticized the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) for destroying a small coastal transport boat off the coast of Somalia on Thursday.

EUNAVFOR is tasked by the European Council to help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off Somalia, a region which has been plagued by pirate attacks in recent years. The force also monitors fishing activities and protects vulnerable shipping.

On Thursday, a German warship under the command of EUNAVFOR located and destroyed a small coastal transport boat off the coast of Somalia, about 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) southwest of Mogadishu.

EUNAVFOR spokesman Harrie Harrison on Friday said a helicopter had been dispatched to the vessel and an aerial view found it was "loaded" with equipment usually related to piracy. "Consequently, the whaler was destroyed to prevent any potential future use for piracy," Harrison said, adding that no crew was seen on board.

But a spokesman for Ecoterra criticized the destruction of the vessel and the destruction of two other suspected pirate boats a day earlier. "So far our monitors couldn't find any evidence of any human casualties in either of the two cases from last week along the Southern Somali Indian Ocean coast," the spokesman said. "The local communities, however, are very much aware of what happened."

He added: "We would wish that these boats, if they really were used by pirates, would be confiscated and handed to local authorities for the development of proper fishing communities from whom these boats are often stolen by the criminals."

EUNAVFOR, following complaints by Ecoterra and other groups, provided a video from inside the helicopter which destroyed the transport boat on Thursday. However, there was no evidence to support claims it contained equipment related to piracy.

Ecoterra also said the 'growing disconnect' between naval forces and the Somali authorities is 'very worrisome', adding that the Somali government is never informed or consulted about EUNAVFOR operations even though this is required by United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

In recent years, Somali pirates have hijacked hundreds of ships, taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in ransom. Ships are patrolling the shipping lanes near Somalia in an effort to reduce hijackings, but the anti-piracy force EUNAVFOR has warned that attacks are likely to continue.

Most hijackings usually end without casualties when a ransom has been paid. This, however, often takes many months. The longest currently ongoing hijacking, according to EUNAVFOR, is that of the Panama-flagged MV Iceberg 1 which was hijacked on March 29, 2010 with 24 crew members. One of the hostages has since committed suicide while others are said to be mentally ill.

According to a recent study, maritime piracy cost the global economy up to $12 billion last year, with Somalia-based pirates responsible for 95 percent of the costs.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-03

[geriatrickid]

We would wish that these boats, if they really were used by pirates, would be confiscated and handed to local authorities for the development of proper fishing communities from whom these boats are often stolen by the criminals."

What planet do these guys live on? There was no evidence that the boats were stolen and there is no local authority to hand the boats over to. The only way to stop the pirates is to sink their boats.

[Rosco911]

We would wish that these boats, if they really were used by pirates, would be confiscated and handed to local authorities for the development of proper fishing communities from whom these boats are often stolen by the criminals."

What planet do these guys live on? There was no evidence that the boats were stolen and there is no local authority to hand the boats over to. The only way to stop the pirates is to sink their boats.

Totally agree, I would like to see the do good idiots confiscate one of these boats to hand back to local authorities, I am sure a friendly Somalian waving an AK47 would have no objection.

[bigbamboo]

We would wish that these boats, if they really were used by pirates, would be confiscated and handed to local authorities for the development of proper fishing communities from whom these boats are often stolen by the criminals."

What planet do these guys live on? There was no evidence that the boats were stolen and there is no local authority to hand the boats over to. The only way to stop the pirates is to sink their boats.

[bigbamboo]

We would wish that these boats, if they really were used by pirates, would be confiscated and handed to local authorities for the development of proper fishing communities from whom these boats are often stolen by the criminals."

What planet do these guys live on? There was no evidence that the boats were stolen and there is no local authority to hand the boats over to. The only way to stop the pirates is to sink their boats.

Preferably with the pirates still in them. BTW......these boats are high performance speed boats not fishing skiffs.