Latest piracy news (December 30, 2012)
(BRUSSELS2)
Alert ! Pirate group(s) in sight in the Gulf of Oman
A merchant ship was approached and chased by two skiffs on December 21 for 1 1/2 hours in the Gulf of Oman, according to anti-piracy coalition forces, around 23° North and 59° East. The previous day (December 20), another transiting vessel was approached by a skiff not far away at 24° North and 57° East. The presence of an armed pirate group in this area therefore seems more than likely. On December 27, another suspicious presence of two skiffs was reported, this time near the Strait of Hormuz, at 26° North and 56° East. As the first skiff approached within approximately 500 meters of the merchant vessel, weapons were sighted aboard the skiff. The private guards fired a rocket and the first skiff gave up. The second skiff was however still moving and much closer, about 200 meters away. Several warning shots were then fired by the private guards. The 2nd skiff has, in turn, given up. The merchant ship was then able to continue on its way.
The Surcouf escorted by the WFP
The MV Rockway Bell, chartered by the World Food Program (WFP) was escorted until Christmas Eve by the Surcouf. The French frigate - which is taking part in the European operation EUNavfor Atalanta (TF 465) - has taken over from its Spanish counterpart, the Mendez Nunez, flagship of Task Force 465, off Salalah (Sultanate of Oman) until the arrival of the bulk carrier and its cargo of sorghum at the port of Mombassa (Kenya). The poor sea conditions were certainly not not very conducive to piracy “, we specify on the side of the national navy. Corn " the Surcouf sailors had to be extra vigilant throughout the 1500 nautical mile (2 kilometre) course. On the bridge, the horizon has been meticulously scrutinized to leave nothing to chance. » And in the air, the Lynx... British helicopter carried out maritime surveillance flights every day”.
It can be recalled that the protection of WFP ships represents one of the priority missions of the ships of the European naval force. Atalanta and even the first of the missions. Since the beginning of the operation, 4 years ago (in December 2008), 167 buildings have benefited from the protection of the buildings of the European force. These ships transport 90% of the food and resources delivered as international aid to Somalia. The 25 tons of food delivered each month are vital for Somalia as they help to meet the needs of around 000 million inhabitants.
The Turkish frigate returns to the country
After 208 days in the Gulf of Aden, engaged in the fight against piracy, the Turkish frigate TCG Gemlik is back in the country reports Anadolu Agency at the end of December. With her 266 sailors, she served in the CTF 151 coalition - under American leadership. The commander of the frigate, Serkan Saral is satisfied with his men and his ship. " The TCG Gemlik frigate served for seven months in difficult weather conditions and rough seas, which is an indication of the logistical and technical potential of the Turkish naval forces and their talent he clarified.
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