November 2010

Three more merchant vessels escaped from pirating in the last three days thanks to the use of Best Management Practices, proving once more the efficiency of self-protection measures in this high risk area

In the early hours of 26 November, the MV ALBEDO was pirated approximately 900 nautical miles East of Mogadishu (Somalia).

On 26 November, General Giorgio Cornacchione, Commander of the Italian Joint Operational Headquarters, accompanied by Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi, Chief of Staff of the Italian fleet, made a visit onboard ITS LIBECCIO.

While on Port Visit in Salalah (Oman), the Commanding Officer of the EU NAVFOR Spanish ship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA paid a call onboard the Cruise Ship SEABOURN SPIRIT, moored in Salalah for a short stopover, in order to share knowledge and experiences about the piracy threat in the area. 

In the early hours of 26 November, the MV MEDI CHENNAI was attacked approximately 880 nautical miles (1,600 kilometres) East of Port Victoria, Seychelles. This is the further East attack ever registered by EU NAVFOR since the beginning of its Operation in December 2008, the last fur

On 24 November, a joint operation between two EU NAVFOR aircraft and the EU NAVFOR warship FS SOMME enabled the disruption of seven suspected pirates.

On 24 November 2010, the MV PAGONA foiled a pirate attack thanks to the use of Best Management Practices (BMP).

On 24 November, FGS KÖLN conducted her last day of operations as a part of EU NAVFOR, after 74 days of counter-piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.

Last week, the EU NAVFOR warships SPS INFANTA CRISTINA and BNS LOUISE MARIE successfully completed the escort of the merchant vessel PETRA 1, chartered by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

On 22 November, during a patrol in the Gulf of Aden, the EU NAVFOR Italian warship ITS LIBECCIO, received a report from the NATO Italian warship ITS BERSAGLIERE, stating that a floating wreck had been observed along commonly used merchant shipping navigation routes.

Early on the morning of 24 November, the MV NORNA N reported it was under attack approximately 700 nautical miles East of Socotra Island.

On the 19th of November, the crew of HS ADRIAS, during a port visit to Mombasa, visited a charity to provide donations to a local children’s home (“The Bee Hive Children’s Home”), a home for for less fortunate children in need.

Seven vessels transiting in the Somali Basin escaped pirating in the last five days thanks to Best Management Practices (BMP).

The Seychelles Coast Guard apprehended a total of 16 suspected pirates the last five days after being cued each time by two EU NAVFOR aircraft.

The German air defence frigate FGS HAMBURG, has just integrated the EU NAVFOR Task Force on 21 November.

 EU NAVFOR warship, ITS LIBECCIO, has been engaged on operations along the northern coast of Somalia and on 21 November, the Italian Frigate performed a “friendly approach” on a Yemeni fishing dhow, towing three skiffs.

On 19 November, SPS GALICIA completed her last day of operations, as a part of EU NAVFOR, Operation ATALANTA Task Force, after 82 days of counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.

On 18 November, the Dutch warship HNLMS AMSTERDAM conducted her last day of operations as an EU NAVFOR vessel, after 2 months and 9 days of counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.  

On 18 November, in the early evening, a Pirate Action Group failed in its attempt to pirate the MV NORTHERN VALOUR in the Somali Basin, thanks to use of Best Management Practices.

Last week, a Ukrainian officer arrived in EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood - UK), being the first participation from Ukraine in the EU NAVFOR operation.

On 17 November 2010, whilst sailing in the Gulf of Aden, the EU NAVFOR French Flagship FS DE GRASSE intercepted and disrupted a Pirate Action Group comprising of one skiff with seven suspected pirates onboard.

On 16 November 2010, pirates failed in pirating the MV AFRICAN EAGLE, a Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier, thanks to self-protection measures adopted by the vessel.

On 12 November 2010, during its visit to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, a group of officers from the EU NAVFOR warship ITS LIBECCIO paid a visit to some of the merchant vessels also berthed in the port.

On 14 November 2010, HSwMS CARLSKRONA fulfilled her last day of operations as an EU NAVFOR warship after 7 months conducting counter-piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin.

In the early hours of 14 November, EU NAVFOR warship BNS LOUISE MARIE located an overturned Yemeni fishing vessel in the Gulf of Aden, 70 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast.

On 13 November, the EU NAVFOR warship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA intercepted a whaler with four suspected pirates on board.  The whaler was located 200 nautical miles off the Somali Coast.  The SPS INFANTA CRISTINA was patrolling the area as part of the EU NAVFOR’s Operation ATALANTA.

On 13 November 2010, the MV YUAN XIANG, a Panamanian-flagged vessel, was pirated in the Somali Basin, approximately 650 nautical miles (1,200 kilometres) East of Salalah (Oman). The MV YUAN XIANG is reported to have 29 crewmembers onboard, all of whom are Chinese.

On 12 November, the Italian EU NAVFOR warship ITS LIBECCIO, arrived in the port of Dar Es Salaam, on its first visit to this port whilst on the EU anti piracy mission, OP ATALANTA.

Early this morning, the MV HANNIBAL II, a Panamanian-flagged vessel, was pirated whilst on route from Malaysia to Suez.

EU NAVFOR welcomes the E-3F SDCA (French Air Force - Base of Avord) that has very recently arrived in Djibouti to reinforce EU NAVFOR operational ability. The aircraft conducted its first operational flight yesterday in the Somali Basin and will play a major part in counter-piracy o

On 9 November, the EU NAVFOR Italian Frigate ITS LIBECCIO was engaged in a replenishment at sea operation with the EU NAVFOR German tanker FGS RHOEN. This is the second time that the two ships meet together to conduct a replenishment.

The South African yachtsman, who yesterday escaped capture by pirates when he refused to cooperate with their demands, was this afternoon transferred to South African authorities in Mombasa, Kenya.

On 6 November 2010, the EU NAVFOR Dutch ship HNLMS AMSTERDAM successfully located and disrupted one Pirate Action Group (PAG) comprising of 2 skiffs with 9 suspected pirates onboard.

A South African yachtsman, who escaped capture by pirates when he refused to cooperate with them, was safely taken on board an EU NAVFOR warship yesterday. 

During the night of November 6, the EU NAVFOR warship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA was attacked off the East coast of Somalia by a vessel identified as the MV IZUMI, a ship that had itself been pirated on 10 October.