MSC Jasmine slightly damaged in pirate attack - 12 pirates captured
On Jan 5, 2013, the "MSC Jasmine" was attacked by Somali pirates while enroute between Salalah-Mombasa. Twelve suspected pirates were detained.
A merchant ship was attacked by a pirate skiff Saturday off the coast of Somalia, about 03:00N - 051:00E, up to Ceeldhere (Galguduud region), between Somalia and the Seychelles.
Six pirates were aboard the skiff armed with small arms and an RPG rocket launcher which attacked the MSC Jasmine - a Cypriot container ship flying the Panamanian flag - the crew took refuge in the citadel. The team of private security guards on board went into action. Exchanges of shots took place, no staff was injured aboard the ship and no reports of the attackers being injured. The ship managed to escape, continuing on its route to Mombasa, however, a report of the skiff was given. After warning and tracking by maritime patrol aircraft, the skiff and the pirates' mother ship was able to be boarded.
Combined air-sea operation, Franco-American-German
The attack was later confirmed by the headquarters of the EU operation "Atalanta". Further details were given as well. The first helicopter of USS Halyburton (Operation Ocean Shield) reached the scene. It was only 80 miles distant from the place of attack (up to 260 miles offshore). It was able to locate the suspect skiff with several men on board: and also the mother ship. The French frigate Surcouf - with a British Lynx helicopter embarked - approached at high speed. Following a port call at Port Victoria in the Seychelles on Thursday, Surcouf did 200 miles in a few hours in the morning arriving in the area to take over the op.
The important work of P3 Orion
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 was given, they took to the air. In less than 3 and half hours, the plane was in the zone as stated by Lieutenant Commander Daniel Wolfen, Head of the German Task Force P3 Orion, a remarkable time considering all the tests and checks required before deploying a operational flight. With night falling, it is through the use of thermal camera that the Orion crew were able to locate the mother ship, and provide guidance by radio to the crew of Surcouf in the same manner for Halyburton.
Twelve suspects arrested
The 12 suspects were arrested - Sunday - by the French military crew in two stages: first the pirates skiff (there were only two on board), and then the whaling boat mothership (there were ten on board). They were brought on board for further investigation. "The suspects are being interrogated to gather evidence for possible prosecution" said one officer 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.
Original Source: SeaNews Turkey
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