On Tuesday 31 March EU Naval Force warship, ESPS Infanta Cristina, carried out a Friendly Approach with local Somali fishermen during one of her counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden.
Once permission to go on board had been granted by the Somali master, ESPS Infanta Cristina’s boat crew approached the vessel. During the visit, the crew from ESPS Infanta Cristina provided water, soft drinks and food to the Somali fishermen.
Friendly Approaches such as this help to build mutual trust and understanding between counter-piracy naval forces and the local Somali community.