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MANAMA, Bahrain - A pirate attack was disrupted on Feb. 20, by the Turkish warship TCS Gemlik assigned to Combined Task Force 151. The MV Apl Finland was transiting in the Gulf of Aden when a suspicious vessel approached. The Master of MV Apl Finland raised the alert by bridge-to-bridge communication to alert other ships of the suspicious vessel.
CTF 151 Turkish warship Gemlik received the warning and closed in to investigate the suspicious skiff.
Seven suspected pirates, one ladder and fuel barrels were observed on board the skiff which was equipped with two outboard motors. During the chase by TCS Gemlik, it was observed that the suspected pirates were throwing items overboard, including a ladder. After a series of maneuvers and warnings the skiff came to a halt and the vessel was boarded by a team from Gemlik.
Although no piracy-related material was found on board the skiff, the quick action by Gemlik prevented an attack from occurring. Twenty three fuel barrels were found on board. One of the two outboard motors was dismantled. The skiff was subsequently released and instructed to head back to the Somali Coast.
Commander, CTF 151, Rear Adm. Bernard Miranda, Republic of Singapore navy, applauded the effort by all parties in coordinating the response to the incident. "The simple yet responsible act by the Master of MV Apl Finland of broadcasting over the bridge-to-bridge radio communication system to warn merchant shipping of suspicious vessels is extremely commendable.
The Gulf of Aden is a huge area to patrol and all vessels can help to act as 'eyes' for the merchant community and the multi-national warships by reporting suspicious activity when transiting through the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor. The quick response to investigate and disrupt the suspected pirate attack is also testament to the professionalism and good understanding established between the multi-national warships working 24/7 to ensure freedom of navigation in this part of the world," Miranda said.
CTF 151 is a multi national task force established in January 2009 to conduct counter piracy operations under a mission based mandate to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. It operates in the Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia.
CTF 151 is part of Combined Maritime Forces. CMF patrols more than 2.5 million square miles of international waters to conduct both integrated and coordinated operations with a common purpose: to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future. CMF is working to defeat terrorism, prevent piracy, reduce illegal trafficking of people and drugs, and promote the maritime environment as a safe place for
mariners with legitimate business.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.23.2010 05:04 |
| Story ID: | 45724 |
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| Web Views: | 534 |
| Downloads: | 500 |
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