EU Naval Forces Rescue Sailors Following Somalia Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
European Union naval forces have successfully rescued two dozen crew members from a Maltese-flagged petroleum vessel that was targeted by pirates off the shoreline of Somali waters.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting fuel from Indian ports to South African destinations, was taken over on Thursday when armed pirates began shooting with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before taking control of the vessel.
The crew secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the pirates took control of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A naval vessel, functioning under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the ship on the following day. Elite military units boarded the vessel and found all two dozen sailors safe and sound.
"The crew is safe and no injuries have been reported. During the ordeal, they stayed in the citadel in constant communication with command center," officials announced, noting that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the pirates to leave the ship before the warship arrived.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities added that the threat risk in the region "continues to be serious" as the armed groups are still in the area.
The rescue operation utilized a aircraft, drone and surveillance aircraft. Just hours earlier, a different vessel in the identical region was targeted by a fast boat but successfully avoided it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This incident represents the latest in a spate of incidents that have created concern about a renewal of piracy in the area.
Piracy operations had declined when international naval patrols and security measures were introduced after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.
However, assaults by militant groups on ships in the Arabian Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have caused vessels to be rerouted through East Africa's Indian Ocean - creating new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Statistical Overview
- Seven reported incidents of maritime crime took place off the coast of Somalia last year
- Three hijackings were recorded among these incidents
- A single case of maritime crime was noted in the preceding year
Industry professionals continue to monitor the situation as vessel operators navigate these increasingly dangerous waters.
