On 1 July the EU NAVFOR French frigate ACONIT patrolling in the Gulf of Aden received a distress call from the Indian ship AL TAREK.
The vessel AL TAREK, the size of a dhow, transporting 2300 goats between Bossasso, Somalia and Mukallah in Yemen, was short of fuel and could not safely proceed towards her destination with waves two metres high and a 50 km/h wind. The ACONIT helicopter supported the vessel with fuel and equipment.
Unfortunately, due to the poor state of the ship, the fuel was insufficient to meet the task and the ships pumps were unable to stem the flow of water. Before sunset, Captain Goutay ordered the evacuation of the crew comprised of 7 Indians, 5 Somalians, and 1 Yemenis, plus 4 French Navy personnel. The ship sank later that evening. The 13 survivors were handed over to the Yemen authorities.
The frigate ACONIT, which joined the operation EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA 8th June, has returned to its previous mission within EU NAVFOR in the Gulf of Aden to fight against piracy.