August 2010

After ten days chasing and disrupting suspect skiffs in the Gulf of Aden, the French EUNAVFOR Flag ship DE GRASSE headed south to the Somali Basin, to conduct the EU NAVFOR primary task: protection of merchant vessels (MV) chartered by World Food Program (WFP) and African Union Mission in So

On 31 August, the Spanish amphibious ship SPS GALICIA joined the EU NAVFOR Task Force 465 to start her tour of operations.

Wednesday 25 August, EU NAVFOR Italian frigate LIBECCIO visited a fishing dhow in the eastern part of the Gulf of Aden.

Yesterday, Wednesday 25 August, EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood – UK) welcomed maritime industry representatives for its sixth “Industry Workshop”.

Many actors but one same goal in the area of operation: making seas safer by deterring and disrupting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.

On Friday 20 August, the Portuguese Maritime Patrol Aircraft Detachment, based in Seychelles, performed its last flight over the Somali Basin, as part of the EU NAVFOR Task Force.

EU NAVFOR’s logistic capacity has been reinforced with the arrival of FGS RHÖN in the area of operations.

Yesterday in the Gulf of Aden, on the evening of 19 August, EU NAVFOR Flag Ship FS DE GRASSE disrupted a suspected pirate skiff, making it the third disruption in three days by the Force Command Ship.

Tuesday 17 August, Force Commander Rear Admiral Philippe Coindreau visited the Italian frigate ITS LIBECCIO at sea.

Today, 18 August 2010, M/V SE VIRIDIAN reported a suspicious skiff heading towards her position, in the eastern part of the Gulf of Aden.

Focus on the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircrafts, constantly operating for EU NAVFOR – Somalia in cooperation with warships.

On 12 of August the Swedish Minister of Defence, Sten Tolgfors visited EU NAVFOR’s Swedish warship HSwMS CARLSKRONA in Djibouti.

Today, Tuesday 17 August, a suspected pirate skiff equipped with a ladder and a large quantity of fuel barrels has been intercepted by EU NAVFOR means in the eastern part of the Gulf of Aden.

On 29 July, ITS Libeccio and her crew joined Operation Atalanta and the Italian Frigate, under the Command of Cdr Antonio Galiuto, has begun patrolling in the Gulf of Aden Somali basin in support of escorts to the World Food Programme, AMISOM and the fight against piracy.

At a ceremony in Djibouti on board the EU NAVFOR Swedish warship, HSwMS CARLSKRONA, Force Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Jan Thörnqvist who has been the Force Commander of  EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA for the last four months, handed over to Rear Admiral Philippe Coindreau of France.

On 12 August, the fifth EU NAVFOR medical conference took place on board HSwMS CARLSKRONA, the EU NAVFOR Task Force flag ship in Djibouti.

EU NAVFOR’s capacity has been reinforced with the arrival of the Navy anti-submarine destroyer DE GRASSE in the area of operations.

As part of its mission Op Atalanta, the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) is charged with helping to deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. EUNAVFOR has to date transferred 9 groups of suspected pirates totalling 75 individuals to the Kenyan

The Spanish frigate VICTORIA finished as an EU NAVFOR warship in the same way as she started; by detecting, apprehending and boarding pirate vessels. She has conducted a variety of tasks in the force and has found herself at the centre of the action on more than a few occasions.

Yesterday 8 August, Spanish frigate F-82 VICTORIA handed over to Spanish patrol craft P-77 INFANTA CRISTINA in the area of operation.

On 6 August, the Hellenic frigate ELLI conducted her final task as part of the EU NAVFOR Task Force.  During her 114 days in Task Force 465 she has conducted the full range of tasks in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.

Late at night on Friday 6 August the MV SYRIA STAR requested medical assistance for two crewmembers that were injured in the initial hijack.

Today 6 August, EU NAVFOR’s capacities have been reinforced with the arrival of the French frigate FASM DUPLEIX in the area of operations.

During the afternoon of 5 Aug 2010, the MV SYRIA STAR reported that she was under attack from pirates who had climbed onboard and fired shots at the crew.  Helicopters were immediately dispatched to the vessel and tried to establish communications with the SYRIA STAR, which had stopped in the water.

Yesterday 3 August, EU NAVFOR ship SPS VICTORIA stopped a pirate attack on the MV BOW SAGA. The seven individuals apprehended have been returned to Somalia.

Early this morning Tuesday 3 August, the MV BOW SAGA sent a distress call that she was under attack from pirates in the middle of the Gulf of Aden. An EU NAVFOR unit close by sent her helicopter to assist and stopped the attack.

After an emergency call on the radio, from the merchant ship Cantabrian, EU NAVFOR warship SPS Victoria launched her helicopter to rescue a seaman in acute need of medical care.

The French Navy anti-submarine destroyer  de Grasse  left Toulon in southern France late 31 July, having embarked the future Atalanta force commander and his multinational staff.

EU NAVFOR / Task Force 465 is reinforced with the Italian frigate Libeccio. She will now serve as a EU NAVFOR warship and solve all kind of tasks in the anti piracy Operation Atalanta until the 30 November.

In the early hours of 2 August, the MV SUEZ reported being under small arms fire from a pirate attack and minutes later she reported pirates on board. After notification of the attack, attempts were made to make contact with the MV SUEZ but to no avail.

The French frigate Jean Bart has now made her last day in service for EU NAVFOR, for this period. During her short but intense period in Task Force 465 she has mainly solved tasks in the Gulf of Aden, patrolling the IRTC.