The Johan de Witt captures a few more pirates. He plays the surprise

(BRUSSELS2) The Dutch ship, Hr Ms Johan de Witt, which is taking part in the European anti-piracy operation Atalanta, disarmed a group of pirates in the Somali basin on 7 May. A mother ship and her two skiffs had been spotted beforehand by Atalanta's Swedish maritime patrol aircraft. The Dutch warship which was only 30 miles from the "targets" detached two of its landing craft which approached, discreetly, the pirates. 11 suspects were apprehended. In accordance with the guidelines issued by the Atalanta command, and after consultation with the Dutch public prosecutor, they were however released.

The boats were stored with those taken in recent weeks, on the ship's deck. The Dutch have, in fact, participated in concert with the French frigate La Fayette, to an interception of another group-pirates on May 5, about 360 miles northwest of the Seychelles.

Very discreet and very useful barges

The landing craft of the Johan de Witt like to play the element of surprise. Thus during a patrol along the Somali coast, carried out at the end of April, they were able to surprise and intercept two mother ships (whalers) setting sail. As Major Theo Mestrini tells us, who had swapped his bed in his ship's cabin for a camp bed on board one of the barges: " we were very close to one of the pirate camps and we observed their activities during the night. Early in the morning, we suddenly spotted a big fishing boat. We approached him. It actually turned out to be a whaler used as a mother ship and outfitted for piracy. The crew was totally surprised and seemed confused. But it was soon clear that the whaler was on its way to the ocean. »