On the 8th August 2018, EU NAVFOR’s new flagship, ESPS Castilla, carried out her first friendly approach with local Somali fishermen since she joined Operation Atalanta.
ESPS Castilla started conducting counter-piracy patrols along the Somali coast as part of the European Union’s efforts to help make the waters in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden safer from pirate attack.
After seeing the local seafarers, the Spanish sailors took the opportunity to meet and talk to them about concerns that they have and the role of the EU Naval Force in the area, as well as supplying them with water, a first aid kit, and some EU NAVFOR t-shirts.
Friendly approaches to Somali fishermen are important as they help to build mutual trust and understanding between counter-piracy naval forces and the local Somali fishing community.
ESPS Castilla started conducting counter-piracy patrols along the Somali coast as part of the European Union’s efforts to help make the waters in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden safer from pirate attack.
After seeing the local seafarers, the Spanish sailors took the opportunity to meet and talk to them about concerns that they have and the role of the EU Naval Force in the area, as well as supplying them with water, a first aid kit, and some EU NAVFOR t-shirts.
Friendly approaches to Somali fishermen are important as they help to build mutual trust and understanding between counter-piracy naval forces and the local Somali fishing community.