On 17 May 2015, during a counter-piracy patrol in the Arabian Sea, EU Naval Force warship, ITS Grecale, came to the assistance of a tug after it had put out a SOS distress call. The tug had developed engine failure whilst en route from the UAE to Somalia and was drifting in open waters.
Upon receiving the distress call, mechanical engineers from ITS Grecale went on board the tug and after successfully fixing the faulty engine, provided the very relieved crew with some food and water.
The following day the tug’s owner sent an email to the commanding officer of ITS Grecale to thank him and his crew for their assistance.