Ocean Shield sailors meet Somali fishermen
(BRUSSELS2) On board their inflatable boats, the sailors of the NATO anti-piracy mission “Ocean Shield” set off this week to attack… dhows and other small fishing boats. Peaceful Assault! The objective of this new tactic is to get in touch with the local sailors, to discuss with them, to reassure them and to exchange information on the groups of pirates. And above all, to be seen, to display the presence of international security forces right up to the coast and thus discourage potential candidates for piracy. "We know that pirates find it increasingly difficult to stay undetected for long at sea. (...) We also want to make it difficult for pirates to set sail in the first placeexplains Rear Admiral Ben Bekkering, commander of the intervention force.
A contact that reassures on both sides
If the visit of sailors from HNLMS Rotterdam, HDMS Iver Huitfeldt and USS Halyburton reassured the local population, the exchanges of views with the latter also reassured the men of the international force. "Many of my crew are on their third anti-piracy deployment. They hear about the declining numbers. By meeting the fishermen and exchanging their experiences, not only does this (to sailors) gives them a concrete vision, but it also confirms to them that their efforts are making a differencesays USS Halyburton Commanding Officer Bertram C. Hodge.
Other operations similar to the calendar
The NATO force should continue its operations along the coasts. Continue with sailors of course, but other initiatives are planned. In particular to meet, on the mainland, the deans of the coastal villages or even to set up medical visits in order to isolate and push the pirates even further from the coast.
