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.
FS De Grasse was patrolling only 20 nautical miles away and set full speed towards the skiff. Her helicopter took off within a few minutes On arrival of the helicopter over the skiff, the 6 suspected pirates threw part of the equipments overboard. Asked to stop, the suspected pirates did so, first remained calm.
While waiting for De Grasse to arrive, the helicopter finally had to perform two successive warning shots, as the suspected pirates were tying to escape again.Both helicopter and boarding team rhib chased the suspected skiff which eventually stopped.
All remaining equipments were seized and the pirates were provided with sufficient fuel to gain the Somali coast safely on board their skiff.
FS De Grasse was patrolling only 20 nautical miles away and set full speed towards the skiff. Her helicopter took off within a few minutes On arrival of the helicopter over the skiff, the 6 suspected pirates threw part of the equipments overboard. Asked to stop, the suspected pirates did so, first remained calm.
While waiting for De Grasse to arrive, the helicopter finally had to perform two successive warning shots, as the suspected pirates were tying to escape again.Both helicopter and boarding team rhib chased the suspected skiff which eventually stopped.
All remaining equipments were seized and the pirates were provided with sufficient fuel to gain the Somali coast safely on board their skiff.