Rota, 12 May 2024 – The development of the event involving the Marshall Islands-flagged Merchant Vessel CHRYSTAL ARCTIC has been as follows.
As previously reported, the event took place on 10 May at 100 NM North of Bosaso (Somalia). The 6 suspected pirates arrested by ATALANTA forces were treated of their injuries of varying severity. After evidence was gathered by ATALANTA forces and assessed, this event involving the Merchant Vessel CHRYSTAL ARCTIC has been classified as piracy attack. Then, one of ATALANTA warship headed to Seychelles with the 6 suspected pirates, allegedly from Somalia, for further actions and the resolution of the process.
Seychelles is one of the nations in the Area of Operations with which Operation ATALANTA has a legal agreement that allows for the trial of suspected pirates arrested by warships joining the operation.
