EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

The Mozambican flagged Fishing Vessel VEGA 5, which was previously reported missing by her owner, is now confirmed as being pirated in the waters between Mozambique and Madagascar.

On 31 December, the vessel was spotted near the Mozambique coast, approximately 200 nautical miles South West of the Comoros Islands, heading north.  The vessel was towing what looked to be a pirate attack skiff and did not respond to any calls. There has been no further communication with the vessel.

The FV VEGA 5 has a displacement of 140 tonnes and a length of 24 meters.  The FV VEGA 5 has 24 crew members.

5 January, updated the number of crewmembers to a total of 24. Source: Spanish Authorities

EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Programme (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM and to protect vulnerable vessels in the Gulf  of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.