The HNLMS Rotterdam has put an end to the activities of a group of suspected pirates from Somalia. The men in question and their boat were taken on board the Rotterdam on 11 October pending further decision-making.
The search for this pirate group began on 10 October when the Spanish fishing boat Izurdia reported being under attack from a so-called skiff. ‘The Izurdia's timely and detailed message enabled us to take targeted action. Following effective coordination between the staffs of the NATO and EU task forces active in the area, it was the Rotterdam that succeeded in apprehending the suspected pirates,’ said Commodore Bekkering, commander of NATO Task Force 508.
Warning Shots
‘While we were searching for the skiff, it was sighted by our bridge crew, after which our Cougar helicopter and a boarding team were deployed,’ said Captain Huub Hulsker of the Rotterdam. ‘The skiff was then made to stop with the help of warning shots. The boarding team brought the seven suspects on board the HNLMS Rotterdam, where they are currently being detained.
Picture: The HNLMS Rotterdam (by the Dutch Ministry of Defence)
