Photo credit: European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR)-Operation ATALANTA.
The Yemeni-flagged fishing boat Saytuun-2 hijacked off Garmaal, Northern coast of Puntland (Somalia) has been released, according to the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR)-Operation ATALANTA.
On February 17, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was informed of a suspected pirate attack on a Yemeni-flagged dhow (a regional fishing boat) off Garmaal, in the vicinity of Eyl, Northern coast of Puntland (Somalia).
The incident was classified as armed robbery at sea and the vessel has been under pirate activity from 17-22 of February.
The fishing vessel on February 22 was vacated by the alleged pirates after they stole some of the crew’s belongings.
The next day, early in the morning, ATALANTA conducted a friendly approach and gathered information from the fishing vessel crew.
“They reported that, after the pirate boarding, they proceeded to high seas with the alleged pirates armed and equipped with ladders, and after several days, the alleged pirates abandoned the ship and further intentions,” EUNAVFOR said in its release on February 24.
As disclosed, the crew is currently safe and free of movement.
This is the second pirate attack detected in the Northern coast of Puntland during the last weeks, with the EUNAVFOR warning that similar organised piracy incidents might take place again in the area.
