The Iranian-flagged dhow used as a mother ship in the piracy incident involving the Maltese-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite has been liberated. The dhow, abandoned by the alleged pirates on the North-Western coast of Somalia, was closely tracked and monitored by the operation’s flagship, ESPS Victoria, and an Indian Navy warship.

To remind, on the early afternoon of November 7, Operation ATALANTA forces liberated the Maltese-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite.

Armed forces deployed from EUNAVFOR naval assets with the assistance of their helicopter boarded the vessel and confirmed the safety of all 24 crew members of the Hellas Aphrodite.

Throughout the incident, the crew members remained in the citadel in direct contact with ATALANTA.

“The Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the area has been definitely disrupted,” EUNAVFOR ATALANTA announced, emphasizing the operation’s success in neutralizing the immediate threat.

ATALANTA forces conducted comprehensive verifications and searches on board to ensure the crew security.

In addition, a medical team checked the crewmembers, confirming they were “in good condition, safe and free,” according to the statement.

Meanwhile, ATALANTA forces on board the dhow have gathered evidence and intelligence of the incident that together with the evidence collected on board the tanker Hellas Aphrodite, will be submitted to support the legal prosecution of the perpetrators.

To achieve this end, ATALANTA continues working with the Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland Federal Government to locate and apprehend the alleged pirates.

As stated, this successful coordinated counter piracy operation has involved the ATALANTA flagship, ESPS VictoriaI, with her organic helicopter, the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and the special operations unit, the ATALANTA maritime patrol & reconnaissance aircraft VIGMA D4, together with the Indian Navy warship, the Japanese maritime patrol & reconnaissance aircraft P3C from the combined maritime forces, the Seychellois air force and appropriate Somali authorities.

Operation ATALANTA strongly recommends merchant and other vulnerable vessels to register in the MSCIO’s Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS), to provide monitoring and response by ATALANTA forces and their partners in countering maritime security threats.

EU naval force secures Latsco tanker crew following pirate attack off Somalia

Greek shipping company Latsco Marine Management confirmed that naval forces arrived on scene on Friday, November 7, afternoon.

The Malta-flagged 49,992-dwt product tanker, built in 2016, was transiting from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa (approximately 550 nautical miles off coast of Somalia) when the incident occurred.

The tanker, which was carrying a cargo of gasoline, was en route from India to South Africa when a “security incident” took place southeast of Somalia at approximately 11:48 hours local time on November 6.

The piracy attack took place on the morning of November 6, Operation ATALANTA said, when the tanker was boarded by a Pirate Action Group (PAG) active in the area.

The boarding took place approximately 700 nautical miles from Mogadishu. When Operation ATALANTA got the alert, surface and air assets were immediate tasked with taking the appropriate actions to respond effectively and lead the efforts.