A 265.000-ton tanker, flying the flag of Liberia, was attacked this morning by probable Somali pirates in the western part of the Gulf of Aden in position 12 23N 043 42E.
One mothership and two skiffs approached the vessel several times and opened fire. The ship’s crew successfully avoided being boarded. A helicopter of the EU NAVFOR warship ACONIT quickly arrived on scene, following the early distress call.
There were no casualties and only light damage to the vessel, which was registered with the Maritime Security Centre, Horn of Africa.
European Naval Force - Operation Atalanta
EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta acts in accordance with United Nations Security Councils resolutions. The military operation was launched 8 December 2008 for a period of one year, the mission has then been extended by the European Council for a further year until December 2010. The EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta will pursue the following objectives:
• The protection of World Food Programme (WFP) vessels delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia.
• The deterrence and repression of acts of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.
The EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta consists of units from Spain, Germany, Greece, France, Italy and Sweden. The Netherlands and Norway will participate with units during the summer of 2009. The french frigate ACONIT joined EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta 8th June.
Further Information
Contact for Editors
Media Centre EU NAV FOR Atalanta
+44 (0) 7762 784746
media_atalanta@mschoa.org