Somali Cruises

Despite the desperate situation along the coast of Somalia someone can still find a humorous take on the situation.

A spoof cruise company, Somali Cruises, offers an alternative to the rather more sedate world cruises. While the testimonials are either amusingly self effacing or highlight a rather more disturbing parody of gun-toting stereotypes.

New Commander for EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA

(Photo: The Council of the European Union)


(Photo: The Council of the European Union)

Anti-piracy operation EU NAVFOR - 'ATALANTA' leadership changes hands.

The EU operation sees Rear Admiral Philip Jones (bottom) hand over command to Rear Admiral Peter Hudson(top).

EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana welcomed him saying "I would like to congratulate Rear Admiral Peter Hudson on taking office today as the new EU Operation Commander of Operation EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA, the EU's anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. He may be assured of my full support and that of the European Union as a whole. I look forward to working with him.

I also would like to extend my warmest thanks to Rear Admiral Philip Jones for the excellent work he has performed during his term as the first Operation Commander. His leadership and his handling of some highly complex issues have led to ground-breaking advances in maritime counter-piracy and the successful start of the EU's first naval operation."

HMS Cumberland to Join the Action Again

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Shawn Eklund Photographer's Mate 2nd Class)

The United Kingdom Royal Navy are set to send the frigate HMS Cumberland to join the anti-piracy operations of the Gulf of Aden.

This is the vessels second tour fighting piracy in the region.

The Type 22 frigate departed Plymouth on the 25th of May, where she had undergone maintenance work on a number of key systems, since return to the port in December 2008.

Captain David Dutton OBE, Commanding Officer of HMS Cumberland said:

"Cumberland is well prepared for this deployment. We are going to an area recognised internationally as one of the most unstable parts of the world... However, the UK is committed to maintaining a national and coalition presence in the region and all of us in Cumberland are looking forward to and ready to face the challenges ahead."

HMS Portland Successfully Intercepts and Disarms 2 Pirate Skiffs

(Photo: U.S. Navy/John K. Hamilton Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class)

The call went out from the Spanish patrol aircraft making a reconnaissance flight over the Gulf of Aden.

It had spot 2 suspicious skiffs, flying over them revealed that rather than being rigged for fishing they were prepared for armed boarding, the tell-tale drums of fuel for endurance and RPGs gave away their intent.

The UK Navy Frigate HMS Portland was on hand to intercept the pirates and did so by RHIB.

With the cover of a heavily arm Lynx helicopter, also dispatched from HMS Portland, a boarding team of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel boarded the skiffs (Seen above at an earlier boarding).

They discovered 10 pirates and all the trappings of a team engaging in or preparing to attack nearby shipping transiting the area.

However without evidence these 10 men were actively participating in an act of piracy they were unable to arrest them and after confiscating their weapons and destroying one of the skiffs the boarding team release the pirates.

This once again raises questions over what real effect military intervention can have over the lawlessness and piracy around the Indian Ocean.

Despite the successful intervention by the HMS Portland, part of CTF 151, the 10 pirate go away from this encounter with the message that should there be any doubt of their intent, despite the evidence, they will sail free.

The Best Defense is...

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Bryan Reckard Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)

self defense apparently. Despite the large numbers of military vessels in so many pirate hot spots the best defense continues to be self defense.

This will come as no surprise to experienced mariners the world over who appreciate that their decisions make all the difference in an emergency situation, whether their defense of their vessel is ultimately successful or buys enough time for military intervention.

Just as the solution to piracy does not lay with military action rarely does it provide a solution to the attacks that take place.

These solutions are both found ashore, whether with the high standards of training of mariners, no matter their nationality, or the stability which will remove the motivation sending so many young men to sea to rob and kidnap.

That is not to belittle the part the military play, alone the numbers that were released by the CTF 151 show what a positive impact they are having is making the seas safer and ensuring safe passage is still possible. A difficult feat when you consider the vast areas of operation.

2nd Attack for Stolt Strength

(Photo: Dinie en Jan)

The tanker 'Stolt Strength' was attacked by pirates in the Red Sea over the weekend.

During the incident the vessel suffered both automatic fire and rocket propelled grenade attack, sustaining damage to the bridge, but ultimately evading the pirates.

This same vessel was only recently released (21th April 2009) from captivity, having fallen foul of pirates on the 10th November 2008.

It is believed that a $2.5 million ransom had previously been paid to secure it's release.

Piracy in the Gulf of Aden Continues to Rise

(Photo: U.S. Navy/D. Keith Simmons Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class)

Figures released by the Combined Task Force 151 indicate the problem of piracy continues to rise at an alarming rate.

Attacks are already nearing the number recorded in 2008, as of the 28th May totaling 115.

The task force commander Turkish Navy Rear Admiral Caner Bener noted "A major contributor to our success against piracy is our ability to coordinate our actions and operations with other professional navies, with more than one million square miles to patrol, synchronizing our collective efforts is essential to ensure we're protecting sea lines of communication as effectively and efficiently as possible."

This is borne out by the number of pirates encountered, totaling 443 since 26th August 2008 and 28 vessels confiscated or destroyed.

Those figures in full:

International Response: August 26, 2008 to May 28, 2009:
• 443 pirates encountered
• 212 released; 184 turned over for prosecution; 8 killed; 39 pending
• 26 pirate vessels destroyed; 12 pirate vessels confiscated
• 189 small arms, 39 RPGs, 80 RPG projectiles confiscated

2009 Piracy Statistics, as of May 28:
• 115 piracy events: 27 successful attacks, 85 unsuccessful attacks
• 14 ships and more than 200 merchant mariners currently held hostage by pirates

2008 Piracy Statistics:
• 122 piracy events: 0.37 percent of overall traffic
• 42 successful attacks, 80 unsuccessful attacks

Ross Kemp on Pirates

(Photo: Sky.com)

Ross Kemp returns with a documentary film crew for Sky with a new series on piracy.

Set to screen on Sky 1 on the 8th of June the 3 part series looks at the situation in Somalia and Nigeria.

As with his past TV outings he has immersed himself with his subjects, spending time with those fighting piracy aboard the UK Royal Navy Frigate HMS Northumberland and ashore with pirates themselves.

Trailers are available from the Sky website.

Australia Sails in Support of ITF 150

(Photo: Royal Australian Navy)


(Photo: Royal Australian Air Force)

The Australian Defence Force has today announced it's continued support of anti-piracy operations around the Horn of Africa.

It is to re-deploy both Navy and Air Force assets in the form of the Anzac Class Frigate 'HMAS Warramunga' and an AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

Both were previously deployed under anti-terrorism operation 'Slipper' in the Middle East.

Another Day Another Rescue

(Photo: U.S. Navy/Eric L. Beauregard Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class)

The US Navy are once again lending a hand as rescuers whilst out on patrol with the Combined Task Force 151.

The dhow pictured had been adrift for approximately 2 days with engine troubles before the crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, patrolling the coast, were able to assist.