The 10-member Estonian anti-piracy team, which embarked on the European Union’s operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia in late April, has completed its mission and returned home on July 28.
The Estonian Navy team, which was part of the crew of French frigate FS Nivose, came into direct contract with the pirates on one occasion during their mission. “We arrested 13 pirates and freed five hostages,” Lt. Ivari Sarapuu, commander of the unit, told ETV.
The main task of the crew was to keep close eye on their assigned territory and escort the ships transporting humanitarian aid to Somalia. “We patrolled the whole area and examined the vessels which we suspected of piracy,” said Sarapuu.
Although the personnel serving on the warship included both Estonian and French naval officers, there were no communication problems, Sarapuu said. “We managed well. Despite our different languages, the English of both was pretty good and all our tasks got done,” he said.
This article was posted by MaritimeSecurity.Asia via news.err.ee. To find out more, please visit www.MaritimeSecurity.Asia
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