Incident: Absalon destroys mothership

NATO's operation Ocean Shield flagship, HDMS ABSALON, has sought out and destroyed a Somali pirate mother ship off the Somali coast (location not disclosed). From AOL and the press release:

On Sunday 28 February 2010 the NATO flagship HDMS ABSALON undertook direct action to disrupt the piracy in the Somali Basin by scuttling a pirate mother skiff, one of the large, open boats that pirates use to transport and support their attack teams to offshore hunting areas. The ABSALON is the flagship of NATO’s current counter-piracy operation Ocean Shield off the Horn of Africa. The mother skiff was scuttled by use of specialist teams from ABSALON after it was intercepted by ABSALON’s boarding team. It had been located earlier in the day having just left a well known pirate camp located on the eastern Somali coastline, fully loaded with pirate equipment and supplies.

“This was a very well executed operation,” said CDRE Christian Rune. “Disrupting the pirates’ capability just off their main pirate camps sends a strong signal to the pirates that NATO and the international community do not tolerate their actions. Disposing of their vessels before they can head to sea hits the pirates before they can present a threat to merchant shipping,” said CDRE Rune."

(AOL News, 03/02/10)

Incident: Navios Appollon released

Pirates have released the Navios Appollon and its crew, a bulk carrier taken off the Seychelles two months ago. "The Navios Apollon was released yesterday evening. The ship is now sailing to Oman and its final destination is India. They [crew] are all well and safe," said a Greek official. One Greek and 18 Filipinos manned the ship when taken. An unspecified ransom was paid. (Reuters, 02/28/10)

Incident: Pramoni released

The Singapore-flagged ship Pramoni has been released along with its crew of 24 after payment of an undisclosed ransom. Pramoni was taken on New Year's Day. (Reuters, 02/26/10)Described as "Indonesisan," Pramoni is reported to have been ransomed for $7.5 million. (AFP, 02/26/10)

Incident: APL Finland menaced

The APL Finland is menaced in the Gulf of Aden by a suspicious approach.

The Master of MV Apl Finland raised the alert by bridge-to-bridge communication to alert other ships of the suspicious vessel.

CTF 151 Turkish warship Gemlik received the warning and closed in to investigate the suspicious skiff.

Seven suspected pirates, one ladder and fuel barrels were observed on board the skiff which was equipped with two outboard motors. During the chase by TCS Gemlik, it was observed that the suspected pirates were throwing items overboard, including a ladder. After a series of maneuvers and warnings the skiff came to a halt and the vessel was boarded by a team from Gemlik.

Although no piracy-related material was found on board the skiff, the quick action by Gemlik prevented an attack from occurring. Twenty three fuel barrels were found on board. One of the two outboard motors was dismantled. The skiff was subsequently released and instructed to head back to the Somali Coast.

(Press release CMF015-10, 02/22/10)

APL Finland is a 320 m long cargo ship. Registration and ownership not disclosed. (vesseltracker.com)