EU naval forces secure hijacked fishing boat off Somalia

Ships and air assets of the European Union's EUNAVFOR Atalanta naval task force have successfully secured a Yemeni fishing boat that had been hijacked off Eyl on the northern coast of the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia.

On Saturday, February 8, EUNAVFOR Atalanta was informed of a suspected pirate attack on the Yemeni-flagged dhow Al Najma off Eyl. The incident was classified as an armed robbery at sea.

EUNAVFOR Atalanta naval and air assets were deployed in the area, conducted an intensive search, and succeeded in locating the dhow, which was released when sailing very close to the Somali coast.

EU officials said the immediate presence of Atalanta forces in the area, especially the helicopter, was decisive in the fishing vessel liberation.

Atalanta personnel went on board the dhow to grant security and check the condition of the crew. No injuries were reported and the 12 crewmembers are all safe.

The Atalanta boarding team proceeded to collect all possible evidence of the incident, which is still under investigation. Additionally, the fishing boat was assisted by the EUNAVFOR Atalanta asset after a malfunction on the dhow’s engine.

The crew confirmed that the alleged pirates abandoned the vessel after stealing personal objects and two skiffs belonging to the dhow.

Throughout the incident, contacts and coordination with maritime security partners in the area of operations were conducted. Pivotal exchange of information was shared with Somali forces, the Yemeni Coast Guard and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), particularly with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force's patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.