EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

In the afternoon of 2 December, 150 nautical miles south of Salalah, Oman the Antigua & Barbuda flagged General Cargo Ship MV BBC Togo was attacked by pirates in two attack skiffs.

Because the ship was well prepared in accordance with the ’Best Management Practices’ with barbed wires and other Self Protection Measures, the pirates failed to board the vessel. Automatic weapons were fired, luckily no casualties were reported.
 
On indication of the attack EU NAVFOR Netherlands warship Evertsen just leaving the port of Salalah, was tasked to search and neutralize the pirate attack group. Canadian warship HMCS Fredericton of NATO, also in the area on counter piracy patrol, responded also and closed to participate in the search for the Pirate Attack Group.

In the evening Evertsen localized a dhow with two skiffs in the area of the earlier attack and fitting the given description. Evertsens boarding team secured the dhow and the two skiffs.  In total there were thirteen pirates and two of the original crew on board. Ladders, grappling hooks, and nine automatic weapons, 1 RPG with three grenades and cases with amunition were found. The suspected pirates have been detained.

HNLMS Evertsen takes part in the EU NAVFOR mission Operation ATALANTA. The main tasks of Operation ATALANTA are to escort merchant vessels carrying food of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), the protection of vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.