EUNAVFOR's ROS Regele Ferdinand Conducts Friendly Approach to Merchant Vessel [Interview Video]

On Sunday 7 October Romanian EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) frigate ROS Regele Ferdinand, successfully completed her first “friendly approach” to a vessel just off the Somali Coast.

Friendly approaches/boarding are conducted to gather intelligence by speaking with the regional trading and fishing communities in the area of operations as well as to make masters and crew aware of Best Management Practices for Protection Against Somali Based Pirates and the objectives of the EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta.

Captain Tudorel Duta, Commanding Officer of the Romanian warship, said “It was a complex mission in which the entire crew was involved. This was our first friendly approach we have conducted and the ship’s company worked well together and the mission was a success.”

A boarding team member said: “There were no problems. We explained to the merchantmen the importance and the objectives of the Operation Atalanta.

ROS Regele Ferdinand joined EU NAVFOR on 1 October 2012, becoming the first Romanian warship to take part in the EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta, combating piracy off the coast of Somalia.  The Romanian frigate continues her counter piracy patrols off the Horn of Africa.