Latest piracy news (July 10, 2011)
(BRUSSELS2)
Sunday (July 10). Prayer of the Pope for the hostages of the pirates
On the occasion of "Sunday at Sea", Pope Benedict XVI. And during his angelus Sunday, on the balcony of his Castel Gandolfo residence, he asked that the hostages of the pirates " are treated with respect and humanity ". " I pray for their family members that they may be strong in their faith and not lose hope of reuniting with their loved ones soon. " he added. The Pope met the families of the hostages.
Friday (July 8) Japan extends anti-piracy mission
The Japanese government decides to extend for one year the anti-piracy mission led by the Japanese self-defense forces (army) in the Indian Ocean. The Japanese opened in Djibouti, a permanent base for their fleet and their maritime surveillance aircraft; it is Japan's first overseas base.
Friday (July 8) Death penalty demanded against 3 Somali pirates in the USA
The Virginia court's grand jury has sought the death penalty against three Somalis accused of piracy and murder of US citizens in the SYQuest. They allegedly threatened their hostages and then shot the 4 hostages as US forces tried to free them. 11 other pirates have already been tried and sentenced to life imprisonment. Next hearing: July 20.
Wednesday (July 6) A boat on fire in the Gulf of Aden after a pirate attack
The pirates did not hesitate and fired this time on the living area of the ship. This one caught fire. THE Brilliant Virtuoso, a 140.000 ton Greek super-tanker flying the Liberian flag, was about 20 miles southwest of the port of Aden. And the sailors (26 Filipinos) left the ship, launching their life raft. They were picked up by the American ship Philippine Sea (CG 58). This is the first time that fire has broken out on board in this way (without being immediately brought under control) following a pirate attack. But the circumstances of this remain unclear. The US Navy says it did not find any pirates nearby. The NGO Ecoterra advances another version reporting "rumors in Somalia": a helicopter would have fired on the pirates on board the ship. And it would be these shots that set the ship on fire.
Tuesday (July 5) Chinese escort for a WFP boat
The MA'ANSHAN (FFG-525), a Chinese fleet missile frigate deployed in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean in the face of piracy, completes its first "port-to-port" escort from Kenya to Somalia of a ship chartered by the World Food Program (WFP).
Monday (July 4). Spain strengthens its anti-piracy means
Visiting the Spanish detachments engaged in the fight against piracy in Djibouti, the Spanish Minister of Defence, Carmel Chacon, announces that Spain "will increase its military contribution to Operation Atalanta in the coming months, coinciding with the peak of fishing activity in the region ". Spain should thus send to the area not only the patrol boat Infant Christina but also the amphibious assault ship Galicia, in order to allow Atalanta to have " over the monsoon period a minimum of eight ships, instead of the usual six ».
