EU NAVFOR Confirms Pirate Attacks Off Somalia

Photo: EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta

Suspected pirates attacked two fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia this week, the latest incident underscoring the continued threat to ships and crews in the Horn of Africa region. 

EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta confirmed that on April 21, the fishing vessels FV Adria and FV Txori Argi came under attack by suspected pirates approximately 280 NM off the coast of Somalia.

The attacks were thwarted, and the crew and vessels were reported safe thanks to the application of Best Management Practices (BMP) protection measures by the Masters, the crews, and the private security teams embarked on both fishing vessels. EU NAVFOR said it is likely that the attacks were facilitated by a mothership, which was reportedly seized by armed men on 19 April off the central Somali Coast. 

EU NAVFOR subsequently dispatched its Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircrafts to search the area. EU NAVFOR flagship ESPS Navarra also left the port in Mombasa in order to proceed into the area. ESPS NAVARA eventually successfully intercepted and boarded the dhow being used as a mothership. 

Following the incident, EU NAVFOR reminded that the maritime industry must adhere to BMP measures in order to maximize the safety of the ship and their crews while transiting the high-risk area.

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