The capture of the Beluga Nomination by the pirates goes wrong (update)

(B2) The capture of the German freighter MV Beluga Nomination by the pirates, Saturday January 22 (Monday 24 according to the multinational forces), a little less than 400 miles northeast of the Seychelles (1° North, 56° East), is experiencing a following the eventful time according to the information in our possession. On board was a crew of 12 men: 1 Pole (captain), 2 Ukrainians, 2 Russians and 7 Filipinos.

The “citadel” is not impregnable

They locked themselves in a secure room on the ship (the “citadel”). But that apparently wasn't enough. Since the pirates managed to force entry, apparently after two days. Now aware of this defense process, the pirates have, in fact, equipped themselves and equipped themselves with door opening devices, or even explosives, they no longer hesitate to force entry to seize the crew.

Failed attempt to recapture the ship

As soon as the attack was known, several ships converged on the scene of the incident: in particular, the Danish ship Esbern Snare (from the NATO operation Ocean Shield) and, apparently, a Seychelles coast guard boat, assisted in the air by maritime patrol planes (including one undoubtedly from the Seychelles). It was Wednesday. “ The captain of the MV Beluga Nomination asked the Esbern Snare to stay away to avoid increasing tension on board » indicates NATO anti-piracy HQ.

A pirate killed, a sailor too

But the forces present did not remain inactive. Seychellois forces attacked on Wednesday. Gunshots were exchanged. Deadly exchanges. According to shipowner Niels Stolberg, who spoke to the Bremen newspaper Weser-Kurier on Saturday morning, the Danish NATO ship and the Seychelles ship jointly opened fire in an attempt to take back the ship. Attempt that failed. During this exchange, “ a pirate was killed ". " As retaliation, he says, a sailor was later shot dead ».

A conversation between the team emergency response from the shipowner and the captain of the Beluga confirmed this dramatic outcome, without specifying the nationality of the affected sailor. It is therefore not the captain (Polish) the shipowner confirmed to us directly (*)

Exchanges of fire neither confirmed nor denied on the Seychelles side

The Seychelles authorities that B2 contacted do not confirm the whole sequence. " The Seychelles coastguards pursued the ship until they were near Somalia. But they returned. Because the fuel was starting to reach a limit level and the conditions at sea were very difficult. It was a NATO ship which then took over. The exchanges of fire are therefore neither confirmed nor denied. The only certainty no coastguards were injured ". (*)

Sailors jump into the water

Several sailors took advantage of the assault to jump into the water. While another catapulted the lifeboat, located at the rear of the ship. Escape confirmed by multinational forces. « Two days later, the crew of the MV Beluga Nomination rebelled. And several sailors tried to escape in one of the survival ships » NATO anti-piracy HQ said on Friday.

Two sailors recovered safe and sound Two others missing

Searches were started by two patrol planes: a Spanish plane and an American plane. The lifeboat has been located. And " at four o'clock in the afternoon (Friday), two sailors were recovered safely and hoisted aboard the Danish ship HDMS Esbern Snare ". A Ukrainian (number 2 on the ship) and a Filipino, according to the Ukrainian press. The two other sailors who escaped at the same time are still missing. Information confirmed by the ship's owner that I was able to contact. (*)

Rescue ship for pirates

The next day, another supply ship hijacked the Y, an LPG tanker captured by pirates at the end of October, came to the aid of the “Beluga Nomination”. My colleagues from Spiegel speak of an engine failure. I personally lean more towards a “protective action“. Like other operations, the pirates do not hesitate to use one of their holds, having a significant risk potential, to both resupply and rescue pirates in unstable positions, but also and above all to provide deterrent protection. . In the presence of a tanker, it is certain that the multinational forces will not dare to take an offensive position or even exchange fire. Hackers know this and are now using this process. The two ships were thus able to set sail for Somalia together.

Controversy in Germany

Le Mv Beluga Appointment was indeed registered in the European register for the Indian Ocean MSCHOA and reported to its British equivalent (UKMTO). Some of the security requirements, such as the possibility for the crew to take refuge in the citadel, were respected. And the shipowner accused the multinational forces of not having intervened, relayed by the German press. “Why then when the equation"ipage, who remained confined for two and a half days in the citadel", did he not receive outside help, the shipowner Niels Stolberg immediately exclaimed. German shipowners are all the more furious as this is the third ship to be captured by pirates in two years: first the BBC, the Beluga Fortune then.

Atalanta ships not in area

The European anti-piracy HQ “Atalanta” reacted (which is relatively rare) recalling that the use of certain measures such as the “citadel” does not “does not warrant military action“. And "the closest EuNavfor ship was 1000 miles away, escorting a World Food Program (WFP) ship".

A disgruntled shipowner

The shipowner, however, does not budge. He gave several interviews to the German press, believing that the federal government “ not doing enough ". In the BILD, Sunday, he also complains about the behavior of the naval forces. " Communication with the institutions whose support we hope for is a disaster. How come we learn that there was combat from a NATO press release. Why not notify the shipowner directly ? he explains. (*)

A dramatic toll

The results of this failed operation are therefore dramatic: two killed (a pirate, a sailor), two sailors missing. There are also seven sailors held hostage by the pirates. The ship is now believed to be anchored off the coast of Harardare (Somalia). No ransom demand has officially been expressed (*)

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(*) Updated Saturday 23 p.m., Sunday 20 p.m. and 22 p.m.