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EU Naval Frigate Captures Suspected Pirates

By Breakbulk Staff on February 20, 2013

Photo shows the two suspected pirate skiffs. Courtesy of EU NAVFOR.

Helicopters used to apprehend nine suspected pirates in two skiffs

A Dutch naval frigate, part of the EU’s Operation Atalanta, this week captured nine suspected pirates.

The suspects were spotted by a Panama-flagged merchant vessel about 120 nautical miles east of Eyl off the coast of Somalia, EU officials said in a statement. The Dutch vessel De Ruyter responded to the report. Its helicopter located two high-powered skiffs, which split up in an attempt to escape after throwing material overboard.

The first skiff was stopped by assets of the Dutch frigate. The second skiff was located and stopped with support of a second helicopter from the EU Naval Force flagship Mendez Nunez.

The nine suspected pirates are being held on the De Ruyter for further investigation and evidence collection in order to fully assess the possibility of prosecution, the EU said.