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Lübeck successfully releases Indian dhow and crew

After three days of persistent pressure, the "Lübeck" has forced Somali pirates to release an Indian dhow with 15 Indian mariners held as hostages. On Jan 17, 2012, the EU NAVFOR warship re-located an Indian registered dhow which had been used as pirate mother-ship involved in the attack on the "Flintstone" early the same day. A Dutch Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) stationed on the Dutch-registered civilian fall-pipe vessel had repelled the attack following a gun-fight and caused the attack skiffs to retreat back to the pirate mother ship with injuries to the suspected pirates. Having positively identified the dhow and sighted the attack skiffs and other pirate paraphernalia on deck of the dhow, the frigate approached the dhow demanding that they comply via radio messages. The vessel did not react to radio calls or to subsequent warning gunshots. Sustained pressure was applied to the dhow through the presence of "Lübeck" including direct shots fired into the bow of the dhow and use of the ship’s helicopter to neutralise the attack skiffs secured on the upper deck. Throughout the action the safety of the hostages was the primary consideration, especially as the suspect pirates threatened to kill all crew members and to fire on anyone attempting to board the dhow. During the night of 19 January 2012, the "Lübeck" established control of the situation to allow the Italian tanker "Enrico Ievoli" which had been pirated in December 2011, and has 18 hostages onboard to rendezvous with the Indian dhow. On arrival the pirates again threatened that they would harm all the hostages if any military action was taken to prevent a transfer of pirates who had been injured during the initial attack on the "Flintstone". The frigate maintained an overt presence and following the transfer, was able to board the Indian dhow to assure the health and safety of the crew as well as providing technical assistance. The 15 released crewmembers were all in good health. This action has denied the suspect pirates the use of the dhow as a mother-ship and freed the crew from what could have become months of captivity. The injured suspected pirates were seen to have transferred to the "Enrico Ievoli" which was being shadowed as it returned towards Somalia. Report with photos: http://www.eunavfor.eu/2012/01/eu-navfor-warship-fgs-luebeck-successfully-releases-indian-dhow-and-crew/

German Navy Frigate FGS LUEBECK joins EU NAVFOR

On 03 December, EU NAVFOR welcomed the German frigate FGS LUEBCK to EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA. Commanded by Commander Martin Ruchay, the ship and her 219 crew members will operate in the area of operations of the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea for the next two months. Her tasking will be to conduct counter-piracy patrols in the region, to escort World Food Program (WFP) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) vessels, and to contribute to the monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia.