On 9 February, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was informed of a suspected pirate attack on a Yemeni-flagged dhow* off Eyl, Northern coast of Puntland (Somalia).
The incident is under investigation. Contacts and coordination with maritime security partners in the Area of Operations are ongoing. All verified information and assessment by ATALANTA experts will be shared through the appropriate channels with the shipping industry 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 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.