On 17 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was informed of a suspected pirate attack on a Yemeni-flagged dhow* off Garmaal, in the vicinity of Eyl, Northern coast of Puntland (Somalia). The incident is under investigation.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA is monitoring the event and coordinating closely with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and with the Yemeni Coast Guard. In addition, permanent contact is established with the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), one of the key Somali police forces in the fight against piracy.
This incident comes ten days after the pirate attack on the Yemeni-flagged dhow AL NAJMA, which was liberated on 13 February. ATALANTA assessment and recommendations are shared through the appropriate channels with the shipping operators and updated on the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) website (www.mscio.eu).
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA remains vigilant to any piracy-related events in its Area of Operations to ensure the maritime security. 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.
*Regional fishing boat.