Three pirate vessels sunk
- Mon, 19 Apr 2010
- Comments (6)
A Turkish warship destroyed a group of pirate vessels over the weekend 280 miles North East of the Seychelles. The 13-strong pirate gang in three vessels threw their guns and scaling ladders overboard as the Turkish warship approached and claimed they were innocent victims, although they were unable to explain what they were doing 820 miles from the Somali coast, with no fishing nets or legal cargo.
The Turkish ship TCG GELIBOLU had sailed to the sea area having received maritime intelligence which indicated that pirate gangs were hunting for innocent merchant shipping. Working closely with an EU Luxemburg maritime patrol aircraft, operating out of the Seychelles, they were able to locate the pirates and disrupt their illegal activity.
The Commanding Officer of TCG GELIBOLU, Commander Baybars Kucukatay Turkish Navy said:‘The Turkish Navy working under NATO is proud to be able to save innocent merchant vessels from acts of piracy. Despite a huge search area, we have shown there is no hiding place for pirates at sea. TCG GELIBOLU will eventually find them.'
The operation marked another success for NATO's counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield, and reflected the close co-operation that exists between the NATO Alliance and other international forces.
Have your say!
Latest comments
April 20 16:39
Shane
I would like to know the statistics. How many hostages are there, people and vessels. How many pirates have been arrested, and what is being done with them
April 20 21:04
l wilson
pirates used to be hanged.so why not now or would it be against their human rights.
April 20 21:14
Andrew Geddes
thee guys are so obviously taking advantage of the soft PC attitutude of the EU. I fail to understand whyour EU warships do not blow these pirates up every time they see them, inetsead of leaving them to takes other hostages in the future and thereby fund their piracy for many other aggressive and potential loss of inocent lives in the future. The warships are not just patrolmen, they are paid by the taxpayers and shld do what the taxpayers wish.
April 21 19:07
Mark Ward
THIS is what needs to happen on a regular basis!!!