Six suspected pirates to be transferred to Seychelles |22 November 2017

Six suspected pirates are expected to arrive here later this week on board EU NAVFOR Somalia’s flagship, the Italian warship, ITS Virginio Fasan.

According to reports, the six suspected pirates were chased and apprehended in the Somali Basin after firing on container ship.

It is reported by OCEANUSlive that the six crew of a motor whaler, operating as a mother ship, and a skiff were detained following attacks on a 52,000-tonne container ship and a fishing vessel.

The events reportedly took place over a 24-hour period on November 17-18 in the southern Somali Basin, in an area known for piracy incidents. During the incidents a number of rocket propelled grenades were fired against the container ship. However, adherence to BMP4, the presence of a security team on one of the vessels, and good seamanship avoided any damage or injuries, and all crew and vessels are now safe.

The suspected pirates were apprehended by the Italian marines from ITS Virginio Fasan after their vessels were located using Fasan’s SH-90 helicopter, following initial searches by the Spanish maritime patrol aircraft Cisne. This search for the suspected pirates was coordinated with partners and from information provided by the masters of the vessels concerned. Positive visual verification was made which allowed this to take place.

EU NAVFOR was able to respond rapidly and successfully to these incidents due to the combined efforts of all involved, maximising synchronisation with all EU NAVFOR partners and forward deployed capabilities.

All seafarers are being reminded that adherence to BMP4 and registration with MSCHOA will help to overcome further illegal acts at sea. The presence of international counter-piracy forces in the area will also continue to act as a deterrent to further incidents.

In May this year, the Seychelles’ chair of the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), Ambassador Barry Faure, said seafarers should bear in mind pirates will always be there as long as there is no stability on the grounds in Somalia.

Ambassador Faure, who occupies the seat on behalf of the Republic of Seychelles, noted that the pirates are waiting for the appropriate time to attack.