The sailors of the Mv RIM rebel and free themselves from the pirates (Maj2)

(BRUSSELS2) The crew of the Libyan ship Mv RIM regained control of his ship which had been captured by the pirates, we learn from the HQ of Atalanta, the European anti-piracy operation. Among the ten crew members, all Syrian, one of the sailors was seriously injured during the incident. The Mv RIM, which flies the North Korean flag, was captured in the Gulf of Aden, north of the corridor, on February 2.

The "liberation" took place off the Somali coast, southeast of Garacad, a safe haven for pirates. Warned, the Spanish EUNAVFOR vessel, the Victoria, which was 100 nautical miles away, proceeded to the ship on the orders of the European force commander. He sent his helicopter to make a first reconnaissance. He was thus able to confirm that the ship was in the hands of the crew. Other pirates, who were in the area aboard another hijacked vessel, the Voc Daisy, have decided to carry out a counter-offensive. But the arrival of the Spanish helicopter dissuaded them.

An RHIB from Victoria then brought a security team, including doctor and nurse, to the merchant ship. The climatic conditions prevented an evacuation by boat, it is by the helicopter that the injured was transported. He was then treated by the Victoria's ship's doctor.

A moving capture

According to the NGO Ecoterra, this release would be the result of internal rivalries between several pirate bands which would have killed 9 Somalis. 6 pirates would have been taken prisoner, according to her, and kept on board. The capture of the ship had not been easy for the pirates. AT LasKorey, on the Somali coast of the Gulf of Aden. shots are exchanged with Puntland forces. Arrived at Garacad, their lair, "Elders" would have sought to intervene, and the pirates, forced to move, had set sail around Kulub. Negotiations had been started with the Libyan owner of the boat. Difficult negotiations it seems to the point that the pirates had threatened to kill their hostages. All under the noses of warships, points out Ecoterra. An incident - with shooting from the pirates - having even taken place.

Cargo inquiry

The Mv RIM was heading from Eritrea to Yemen when it was captured by the pirates. Questions arise about its cargo, according to the NGO Ecoterra, which points out that the $3 million ransom demanded by the pirates is disproportionate to this type of boat and crew. Some rumors mention the transport of weapons. In any case, the MV RIM is neither registered with the MSCHOA (the anti-piracy system of the merchant navy of the EU) nor with the UKMTO (British device). And it is not covered by ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) agreements nor does it have proper insurance.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(photo credit: Spanish Navy) updated June 5