On Jan 5, 2013, the "MSC Jasmine" was attacked by Somalian pirates while enroute Salalah-Mombasa. A merchant ship had indeed been attacked by a pirate skiff Saturday (January 5) off the coast of Somalia, about 3 ° north and 51 ° east, up to Ceeldhere (Galguduud region), between Somalia and the Seychelles. Six pirates were aboard the skiff armed with small arms and a rocket launcher RPG type. The crew of the MSC Jasmine - a Cypriot container ship flying the Panamanian flag - took refuge in the citadel. And the team of private security guards on board went into action. Exchanges shot took place, no staff was injured aboard the ship (we do not know yet if hackers have been injured). The ship managed to escape continuing its route to Mombasa. But reporting the skiff was given. After warning and tracking by maritime patrol aircraft, the skiff and the pirates mother ship could be boarded.
Combined air-sea operation, Franco-American-German
(Shift) The attack was later confirmed by the headquarters of the EU operation "Atalanta".Further details have been given as well. This is the first helicopter of USS Halyburton (Operation Ocean Shield) is reached. It was only 80 miles distant from the place of attack (falling to 260 miles offshore). He was able to locate the suspect skiff with several men on board: this was the mother ship. The French frigate Surcouf (F-70) - and British Lynx helicopter - has approached at high speed. She had to call at Port Victoria in the Seychelles on Thursday. She did 200 miles in a few hours in the morning arriving in the area to take over.
The important work of P3 Orion
As my colleague Thomas Wiegold of Augengeradeaus a notable work of identification was carried out by the German maritime patrol aircraft P-3 Orion. For the team of the Bundeswehr, based in Djibouti, it was a day of rest. But as soon as the alert, they took the air. In less than 3:30, the plane was in the zone as stated with pride Lieutenant Commander Daniel Wolfen, Head of the Task Force P3 Orion German. A remarkable time considering all the tests and checks required list before flight operational deployment tell my German colleague. The night had come. And it is through the thermal camera, the Orion crew was able to locate the mother ship, and provide guidance to the radio crew Surcouf like Halyburton.
Twelve suspects arrested
The 12 suspects have been arrested - Sunday - by the French military crews collision in two stages: first the pirates skiff (there were only two on board), and those for the whaling boat mother (they were ten on board). They were brought on board for further investigation. "The suspects are being interrogated to gather evidence for possible prosecution" says one well at Atalanta HQ in Northwood. They could - if the outcome is positive - be handed over to a nearby country - Seychelles for example - if the local prosecutor believes the evidence sufficient for prosecution.