The Iranian-flagged dhow used as a mother ship in the piracy incident involving the Merchant Tanker HELLAS APHRODITE has been liberated. The dhow, abandoned by the alleged pirates on the North-Western coast of Somalia, was closely tracked and monitored by the Operation’s flagship, ESPS VICTORIA, and an Indian Navy warship.
The Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the area has been definitely disrupted.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has carried out the necessary verifications and searches on board to ensure the security of the crew. In addition, a medical team has checked the crewmembers, who are in good condition, safe and free.
ATALANTA forces on board the dhow have gathered evidence and intelligence of the incident that together with the evidence collected on board Merchant Tanker HELLAS APHRODITE, will be submitted to support the legal prosecution of the perpetrators. To achieve this end, ATALANTA continues working with the Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland Federal Government to locate and apprehend the alleged pirates.
This successful coordinated counter piracy operation has involved the ATALANTA flagship, ESPS VICTORIA, with her organic helicopter, the Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the Special Operations Unit, the ATALANTA Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Aircraft VIGMA D4, together with the Indian Navy warship, the Japanese Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Aircraft P3C from the Combined Maritime Forces, the Seychellois Air Force and appropriate Somali authorities.
Operation ATALANTA strongly recommends merchant and other vulnerable vessels to register in the MSCIO's Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS), to provide the most effective monitoring and response by ATALANTA forces and their partners in countering maritime security threats in the Western Indian Ocean.
