EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

Late afternoon, Friday October 23 EU NAVFOR Netherlands warship HNLMS Evertsen rescued 43 persons adrift in the Gulf of Aden.

During her anti-piracy patrol the ship helicopter detected a small skiff drifting on the open sea. Evertsen closed the skiff and discovered that it had suffered engine failure. There were 43 persons in the skiff, mostly woman and children, who had left the port of Bosaaso/Somalia three days earlier with a second skiff in attendance. The survivors stated after one day at sea their engine broke down and the driver with two other crew members got into the accompanied skiff and took off, leaving the women and children to fend for themselves with little food and water. Some had already been ill by drinking sea water.

Because it was already dark, the weather deteriorating, and the small boat being in the busy ship lane EU NAVOR warship Evertsen took the individuals on board to ensure their safety. They were given food, water and medical assistance. A mechanic tried to get the engine running but it was beyond repair. The small boat was towed to ensure it would not pose a hazard to navigation.