EU Naval Force Ensures Pirate Action Group is Incapable of Further Crime

On March 26, the EU Naval Force Flagship ESPS Patino located a Yemeni registered dhow that was suspected of being involved in acts of piracy off the Somali coast.

The previous day a merchant vessel had reported that it had evaded an attack by two skiffs.   As she was close by, ESPS Patino was tasked to investigate the scene, and when her helicopter arrived, it located a capsized skiff, with  suspected pirates embarking onto the Yemini dhow.

Helicopter and boarding team closing in to the dhow

The dhow was confirmed as a suspected mother ship, previously observed at a pirate anchorage.  Authorization was given for a team from Patino to board the dhow.  The 16 suspected pirates quickly surrendered to the EU Naval Forces and the 2 dhow crew members were freed.

After coordinating with Yemeni authorities, the dhow and the two crewmembers were safely handed over to Yemeni Coast Guard near Yemeni territorial waters in the vicinity of Socotra Island today.

The suspect pirates, who no longer had the means to carry out attacks, were returned back to the shore.

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Source: EU NAVFOR Somalia