EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

The French frigate FS NIVOSE, part of the European Union Naval Force Atalanta, for the second time was able to stop a suspected pirate’s mother ship plus two skiffs and arrest 11 suspected pirates, after the group of boats previously had been detected by a Spanish Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, also an Atalanta asset.

The position was right in the middle between the Seychelles and the Kenyan port of Mombasa, approximately 500 nautical miles remote from both places. In the recent time several attacks were seen in that area.

Both the skiffs tried to escape, but were stopped by the frigate’s helicopter. Several evidences in terms of weapons were found and confiscated, the suspects were detained. Their further treatment will be decided soon.

Already 2 weeks ago the FS NIVOSE was successful in counter-piracy and also took a mother ship plus 2 skiffs out of circulation and detained 11 suspected pirates, who then were handed over to Kenya for prosecution.