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Some of the crews had been victims of piracy in the past and stated that they were happy with the presence of European Union warships, which they said made them feel safer at sea. EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco, FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado rendezvoused at sea for a joint replenishment at sea (RAS) with the logistics American ship, USNS Joshua Humphreys from Task Force 53. On Tuesday 21 January EU Naval Force warships, FS Siroco, FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado rendezvoused at sea for a joint replenishment at sea (RAS) with the logistics American ship, USNS Joshua Humphreys from Task Force 53. Force Commander Hervé Bléjean expressed his deep satisfaction “The meeting today of the ships in the EU Force and seeing them interacting together with USNS Joshua Humphreys, made me feel very proud and privileged." On completion, the crews from EU Naval Force ships FS Siroco, FGS Hessen and ESPS Tornado saluted the crew from USNS Joshua Humphreys and each other, before heading again to their respective counter piracy patrol areas. The RAS saw more than 600 men and women from the EU Naval Force gathered in the same sea area in the Somali Basin, with the excellent coordination between all four ships ensuring that the refuelling was carried out quickly and efficiently. On the watch On Saturday 18 January 2014, the French EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia Operation Atalanta flagship FS Siroco in cooperation with Japanese assets released the crew of a Dhow that was suspected to have been used as pirate mother-ship. Once the Siroco’s team boarded the dhow, 5 Somali suspect pirates surrendered and were separated from the dhow’s crew and transferred to FS Siroco for further investigation. The EU Naval Force, in cooperation with other Counter Piracy Forces, reacted quickly to this incident. Preventing piracy Instruction of firefighting drills by the team of both EU missions. A lesson in basic fire fighting skills given by the instructors. Instructors have prepared a fire. A lesson in basic fire fighting skills given by the instructors. Outgoing DCOM Rear Admiral Martens shakes hands with incoming DCOM Rear Admiral Bauzá as the Operational HQ staff applaud Outgoing Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Martens shakes hand with members of the Operational HQ Staff The outgoing Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Jean Martens (German Navy) The New Deputy Operational Commander to Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá (Spanish Navy) One of two armoured vehicles delivered by the European Union mission, EUCAP NESTOR, embarked on board FS Siroco. Vehicles being lowered to the dock before being loaded on to the landing craft (utility) The first vehicle is disembarked at Mombasa port. The two vehicles are safely delivered. Captain Choi Sung-Mok being given a tour of the Spanish warship by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Belizon. Shown here on the bridge Commanding Officer of ESPS Tornado, Lieutenant Commander Juan Belizon and Captain Choi Sung-Mok, the Commanding Officer of the Republic of Korea Ship (ROKS) Choi Young with some of his officers onboard Tornado Since the European Union Naval Force began providing protection to WFP ships, not one has been attacked by pirates, and over 870 000 metric tonnes of much-needed food aid has been safely delivered to the Somali people. The Serbian forces took over AVPD counter piracy duties from Lithuanian forces on 1 December 2013. They will be embarked in MV Caroline Scan for four months. After a delivery of humanitarian aid to the Somali people in Bossasso, there was a good opportunity for the Serbian protection forces to maintain their gunnery skills on board of MV Caroline Scan. After a delivery of humanitarian aid to the Somali people in Bossasso, there was a good opportunity for the Serbian protection forces to maintain their gunnery skills on board of MV Caroline Scan. The protection task of the AVPD unit requires accurate firing skills and constant training. Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean and EU representative Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi shaking hands of the Tanzanian Navy member staff at the arrival in Kigamboni Naval Base. Meeting in Tanzanian People’s Defence Forces (TPDFs) Joint Staff HQ with Major General Kisamba. From left to right: Colonel Decombe, Captain La Quilliec, RADM Hervé Bléjean, MajGen Kisamba, HE Filiberto Ceriani Sebregondi, Lt CDR Eisso Kronenberg and CDR The Force Commander and a delegation from the Force Headquarters also visited the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and Information Sharing Centre (ISC) to get an overview of the capabilities of this new counter-piracy partner. During the Force Commander’s visit to the Kigamboni Naval Base, where he met the Navy Commander, he stated: “I am very pleased to see how much EU Naval Force can rely on the Tanzanian military authorities as a regional key partner for countering piracy in Following the boarding exercise, the team from the French Landing Ship Dock delivered training on assessing merchant ships adherence to Best Managament Practices (BMP). Force Commander of EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Hervé Bléjean said after the event, “I am very pleased that the EU Naval Force has been able to deliver some valuable training to the members of the Tanzanian military. Tanzania is a key regional partner and Members of the Tanzanian Navy were given a briefing on boarding operations, including a dynamic boarding exercise. During their recent port visit to Dar Es Salaam, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Flagship FS Siroco, conducted training with a team from the Tanzanian Marines. On Wednesday 1 January, the European Union Naval Force flagship, FS Siroco, conducted a port visit to Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The date of the visit was highly significant for the islanders and the French warship, as on New Year’s day this year Mayotte became ‘an outermost region’ of the European Union.