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17 crew members rescued as EU naval forces thwart pirate attack off Somalia

EU anti-piracy force respond to a possible pirate attack on the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel Basilisk off the coast of Somalia on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Photo: EU Navy)

By Yunis Dekow | Friday, May 24, 2024

One crew member was said to have incurred some injuries but he was in stable condition and had received medical attention after being rescued.

The European Union's anti-piracy force in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea announced on Friday that the Liberian-flagged merchant vessel Basilisk had been freed from suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia.

17 crew members from the vessel that was transiting the Indian Ocean were also rescued and were safe and sound.

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“Operation ATALANTA confirms the liberation of the Liberian-flagged Merchant Vessel BASILISK,” said the European Union´s Naval Force in a statement seen by the Eastleigh Voice.

EU Maritime Forces added, “Thursday night, our warship patrolling the area arrived, and our forces went on board the vessel using the Fast-Rope technique from the helicopter.”

The Liberian vessel was said to have been sailing approximately 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, heading north, before it was attacked.

One crew member was said to have incurred some injuries but he was in stable condition and had received medical attention after being rescued.

Throughout the Operation, the navy commandos maintained permanent contact with the ship-owner company and the flagship State.

The Maritime Security Force recommended that merchants and other vulnerable vessels register in the Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa's Voluntary Registration Scheme.

This is aimed at, “providing the most effective monitoring and response by ATALANTA forces and their partners in countering maritime security threats.”

The EU Naval Force serves as a maritime security provider for the whole North Western Indian Ocean. Since 2008, the unit has supported Somalia and other Coastal States in the combined effort for peace, stability and maritime security.

Data collated since 2008 demonstrate that EU Naval Forces, in cooperation with her counter-piracy partners, has become highly effective in preventing attacks before they happen.

Taken together, intelligence-led operations, a robust and proactive stance, as well as the continued effort to impress upon the maritime industry and the merchant community the importance of self-protection measures, have decreased the success rate of those attacks which are mounted.

At the height of piracy in January 2011, 736 hostages and 32 ships were being held by pirates.