First details and photos on the capture of the Alakrana by the pirates
(BRUSSELS2)
«Pirates. They are pirates!» That's all the captain of Alakrana (1), the captured spanish basque tuna by pirates on Friday morning, had time to say by radio. The Alakrana was on the high seas, nearly 400 miles off the coast, between Seychelles and Somalia. But the tuna boat, which had its nets thrown into the water, could not escape. The Alakrana was taken in record time, according to the Spanish press which reports the facts (EFE, El Pais, El Mundo). It was 6:45 a.m. local time (5:45 a.m. European time). The Alakrantxu, another fishing vessel of the same company, Echebastar SLU, Bermeo, heard the distress call and attempted to communicate with the vessel. But in vain ! All communications had been cut off. Shortly after, an e-mail message arrived to the owner of the vessel indicating that the crew was well: " we are okay ". And that's all.
Very professional. Armed with rifles and RPGs, the 13 attacking pirates acted "very professionally" according to reports. " They were very experienced. This is probably the same gang that captured the MV Victoria in May. Or, at the very least, they operate with the same modus operandi “, explains the chief of staff of operations of the Spanish navy, Jaime Domínguez Buj. And it was through the negotiator, who had served during the kidnapping of the German ship, that a first contact was established. " For the moment, it seems that the situation on board must calm » explains Buj. " No abnormal movement was observed. The crew would be kept below deck ". A spokesman for the pirates - joined by the Spanish agency EFE - justified the action by the need to fight against illegal fishing in Somali waters.
The boat is tracked by Atalanta maritime patrol aircraft, which were able to take this photo. In cartridge, two of the armed pirates (©Ministry of Defense of Spain)
A speed race is on. The frigate Canarias - which was 800 miles away at the time of the attack - is heading " great
speed to the area. According to the Spanish sailors, he should already be in the zone today (it takes him 35 hours to get there according to the Spanish navy and was 184 miles from the zone on Saturday noon). The military's objective is to prevent the fishing boat from touching land and the hostages from being landed. Because, then, no intervention would be possible. The ship is tracked by Atalanta patrol planes: the two Spanish and German P3 Orions and the French Atlantique II, which take turns on the spot. Apparently it was the Luxembourg planes that were the first on the scene. This is one of their first operational outings!Ransom or Intervention. A crisis cell, bringing together the ministries of defence, the environment and fishing, has been activated in Madrid, under the responsibility of the Deputy Prime Minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega. The authorities have two options.
1° the negotiation and payment of a ransom. Which has apparently started to be done. Since a first contact has been made with an intermediary.
2° Intervention. The Spaniards asked the French to act in " partnership special” according to De La Vega. Only the French have both the experience and the means to carry out this type of operation. But that is not without risk (see Operation Tanit). Also the number 1 priority displayed by the Spanish government is the " angler safety ". Any slippage would indeed be fatal… at the political level.
speed to the area. According to the Spanish sailors, he should already be in the zone today (it takes him 35 hours to get there according to the Spanish navy and was 184 miles from the zone on Saturday noon). The military's objective is to prevent the fishing boat from touching land and the hostages from being landed. Because, then, no intervention would be possible. The ship is tracked by Atalanta patrol planes: the two Spanish and German P3 Orions and the French Atlantique II, which take turns on the spot. Apparently it was the Luxembourg planes that were the first on the scene. This is one of their first operational outings!Ransom or Intervention. A crisis cell, bringing together the ministries of defence, the environment and fishing, has been activated in Madrid, under the responsibility of the Deputy Prime Minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega. The authorities have two options.
1° the negotiation and payment of a ransom. Which has apparently started to be done. Since a first contact has been made with an intermediary.
2° Intervention. The Spaniards asked the French to act in " partnership special” according to De La Vega. Only the French have both the experience and the means to carry out this type of operation. But that is not without risk (see Operation Tanit). Also the number 1 priority displayed by the Spanish government is the " angler safety ". Any slippage would indeed be fatal… at the political level.
At the back of the boat, you can see the pirate skiff towed with cans of gasoline and appreciate the difference in size of the two ships, a few meters for one, a hundred meters for the second (©Ministerio de Defensa de Spain)
Political controversy. This capture of a Spanish ship has, in fact, triggered a controversy in Spain where the Minister of Defense, Carme Chacon, has to face a double offensive. The popular party, in opposition, denounced the "passivity" of the government. The PP's defense spokesperson, Beatriz Rodriguez Salmon, explained that "thehe government has failed to act with due diligence in protecting tuna» in particular because he rejected the latest initiatives presented to the Chamber of Deputies to put armed soldiers on board fishing vessels. Same explanation among the Basque nationalists of the PNV, who believe that the central power has not done enough to protect Basque fishermen. For Josu Erkoreka, spokesperson for the PNV party, “ Our fishing fleet off the coast of Somalia is risking its life as the Minister of Defense plays games not to lose votes in Congress. It's not good! ". And to point out that the boarding of private guards (a solution advocated by the Spanish Defense and Interior Ministries) is delayed by red tape ". The tuna boats questioned the lack of direct protection by the Spanish armed forces from which
French fishermen (NB: at their expense). A legislative motion to this effect, proposed by the PP and the PNV, was rejected in September by the Congress. The government replied saying that the Alakrana was not fishing in the zone protected by the international force. " Everyone should be responsible for their actions warned Jaime Domínguez Buj. In London, Atalanta HQ is trying to deal with the controversy, indicating that there is close consultation with the fishermen, one of their representatives being present at Northwood HQ.Withdrawal for security. There were about 17 Spanish boats currently fishing in the Indian Ocean. And, as a safety measure, their owners asked to leave the fishing area. They are expected to head to the Seychelles where most have established their base for the fishing season. For tuna boats, this is a bad deal. According to a fisheries official, the year 2009 will be less good. Instead of the 180 to 200.000 tonnes caught each year, there would only be 120.000 this year. Because of hackers...
French fishermen (NB: at their expense). A legislative motion to this effect, proposed by the PP and the PNV, was rejected in September by the Congress. The government replied saying that the Alakrana was not fishing in the zone protected by the international force. " Everyone should be responsible for their actions warned Jaime Domínguez Buj. In London, Atalanta HQ is trying to deal with the controversy, indicating that there is close consultation with the fishermen, one of their representatives being present at Northwood HQ.Withdrawal for security. There were about 17 Spanish boats currently fishing in the Indian Ocean. And, as a safety measure, their owners asked to leave the fishing area. They are expected to head to the Seychelles where most have established their base for the fishing season. For tuna boats, this is a bad deal. According to a fisheries official, the year 2009 will be less good. Instead of the 180 to 200.000 tonnes caught each year, there would only be 120.000 this year. Because of hackers...
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