31 May 12

HNLMS Evertsen conducts Counter-Piracy Exercise before deploying to Operation Ocean Shield

Scenario: onboard the hijacked Dutch merchant vessel MV Sundowner there’s a sinister silence, when under cover of darkness masked marines approach the ship in a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). Silently and unseen the marines climb on board with speleo ladders. Short orders echo through the quarterdeck and in smooth operation the pirates on the bridge are overpowered. The all-embracing boarding exercise of HNLMS Evertsen is a success.

Piracy is a human drama for all those concerned and represents a serious threat to worldwide trade. Since 2008 NATO together with many other organisations and countries, has been making an important maritime military contribution to the international counter piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. In response to the UN’s request to make a concerted effort to enable free passage at sea, the Royal Netherlands Navy has deployed several ships as part of the NATO and EU counter piracy missions, to create a secure corridor in the Gulf of Aden and combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Effective

The international effort has been effective, as the amount of hijacked ships has decreased. Nonetheless pirates are still continuing their criminal acts. According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) there has been 43 piracy cases in the first quarter of 2012 and more than 200 sailors are still being held captive. “That’s why an active counter piracy effort is necessary. To secure the sea lanes which are the aorta of the world economy, and to contribute to the growth of regional stability in the region”, states commodore Ben Bekkering. As the commander of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) he’s on board of the flagship HNLMS Evertsen en route to the Golf of Aden. For the 6 months to come he will command the international NATO counter piracy operation, codenamed Ocean Shield. Although Bekkering acknowledges that the long-term solution of piracy lies on land, he also knows that the key to it is at sea. “After all, by countering piracy at sea, the organized crime looses it’s current dominant role on land. This way the righteous local communities and even the region, will get a chance to develop itself.”

Synergy

En route to the area of operations the international staff of SNMG1 makes the last of the preparations for the upcoming mission. A solid picture of the current situation is being build, rules of engagements are being discussed and tactical goals set. The same applies for the crew of the flagship HNLMS Evertsen. They meticulously  prepare for all eventualities. “For this mission we carry extra capabilities”, explains the commanding officer of the Air Defense and Command frigate, commander Boudewijn Boots. Such as a helicopter crew, a specialist medical team that can conduct life-saving proceedings and an enhanced boarding element (EBE) of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. This will allow us to disrupt piracy and prevent a hijacking. Boots: “Situations like a so-called citadel case can be complex and perilous. Except when all of our capabilities bundle their expertise”. To ensure full synergy is achieved, various exercises take place en route to the area of operations. Like small boat interceptions, firing exercises, fast rope and spie-rig exercises from the helicopter, transport of wounded persons and detainee handling training. All these sub exercises came together in an all-embracing citadel case exercise, with a crew in the safe room of a hijacked ship that had to be set free.

Element of surprise

When HNLMS Evertsen receives the message that the merchant ship MV Sundowner is hijacked and that the crew is safely in the citadel, all wheels come in motion. Intelligence is being gathered, a situation report made, meteorological and oceanographic information viewed and a plan is made and exercised. The success of a boarding action often begins with an element of surprise. “And how better to achieve that than by using the cover of darkness”, explains the commander of the EBE. And so it happens. In the darkest of night the marines are being transferred by RHIB to their target. Unseen and unobserved, they climb on board. Due to the element of surprise they overpower the pirates within minutes and free the crew. The Evertsen is informed that the situation is under control. As the suspected pirates are brought to Evertsen, the Maritime Intermediate Search Team (MIST) gets on board of the merchant vessel to assemble all relevant information.

The commander EBE looks back satisfied on the exercise: “The biggest challenge was to get full integration with the ship and that is important because it makes you strong. You must have a good synergy with the RHIB crew, the helicopter crew and off course the bridge. That is where it all comes together, so we all can get the job done. Successfully, as was proven tonight.”

HNLMS De Ruyter, one of the ships currently sailing with SNMG1, tested her capabilities in an exercise scenario near Greece. The scenario mirrors the threats warships have to deal with in real life and is a mix of low and high intensity warfare. 

 March 7th, early in the morning, HNLMS de Ruyter arrives in a patrol area in the north of Crete, Greece.  Intelligence reports indicate that the criminal cartel Kallista inc. intends to organise an illegal shipment of weapons. Kallista has two fighter aircrafts at its disposal, both fitted with air-to-surface missiles. The cartel is willing to proceed with this shipment at any cost.

 HNLMS de Ruyter has taken all necessary precautions to prevent this illegal use of international sea lanes. Tactical readiness is set to maximum. Commodore Ben Bekkering, the Commander of the NATO Response Force ‘Standing NATO Maritime Group 1’ explains: “This multi threat scenario is an excellent training opportunity to maintain our readiness. All conditions are set to test and verify new tactics, procedures and techniques.” Cdre Bekkering is embarked on HNLMS de Ruyter and is supported by an international staff whose mission is to ensure the group’s coordination.

 All of a sudden, a small smuggling boat is spotted by the radar operator and identified as hostile. The alarm goes off and within seconds, all battle stations are manned and ready. Almost immediately, grenades are launched followed by rounds of small-calibre artillery. The smuggling boat is neutralised but Kallista is expected to strike back anytime. Before long, an incoming fighter aircraft is detected on the radar. The fighter fires a missile on the NATO warship which responds by launching a medium range surface-to-air missile. The hostile’s incoming missile is dealt with by the ship’s decoy launching system. All threats have been neutralised. Kallista makes a final attempt with a low slow flyer but the Goalkeepers’ weapon system takes him out.

 All threats were successfully treated. HNLMS de Ruyter’s commanding officer, Commander Sebo Hofkamp, concludes: “Today we have proven our capability and strengthened our confidence in procedures, equipment and each other.”

NAPLES, Italy - The Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) ended 2010 patrolling the seas protecting shipping from pirates in NATO’s anti-piracy mission Operation Ocean Shield: it now brings its strength to bear in support of Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s anti-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean Sea. Closely supported by NATO’s E3-A Component (Airborne Early Warning and Control Force) and with the additional support of other Mediterranean-deployed NATO assets, SNMG1 will carry out rigorous deterrent patrolling in the Western and Central Mediterranean areas as part of NATO’s determination to deny terrorists any capability for maneuver at sea. SNMG1 is a multinational, integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force; it is currently commanded by Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi (Italian Navy) from his flagship ITS Etna . The group also contains
German Frigate FGS Luebeck. The Spanish Oiler ESPS Marques De La Ensenada will be participating in associated support to SNMG1 only for the surge operation. Press Release

Italian Admiral Assumes Command of NATO Maritime Task Group

Dutch Submarine Awarded for Service in Operation Ocean Shield

07 Dec 10

Italian Warship ITS Bersagliere Sails Home After Taking Part in NATO's Counter Piracy Mission

Italian warship ITS BERSAGLIERE is on her way home after completing NATO counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. The ship and her crew have spent more than two months helping to ensure the safe passage of merchant ships transiting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden.  By patrolling this busy sea area, BERSAGLIERE has helped to prevent pirate attacks from taking place.  Press Release

06 Dec 10

US Warship Kauffman Sails for Home After Completing NATO Counter Piracy Operations

US warship KAUFFMAN has set sail for home after completing more than 4 months on NATO’s counter piracy operation ‘Ocean Shield’ off the Horn of Africa.   During the last 4 months USS KAUFFMAN disrupted 4 pirate attacks on merchant shipping and disarmed 17 suspected pirates in the process.  Following one attack on 1 November 2010, KAUFFMAN came to the aid of the crew from merchant vessel Go Trader, after the master put out a ‘may day’ call to say his ship was being hijacked by armed men.  USS KAUFFMAN raced to the scene, and after conducting a full search of the ship, they were able to confirm that the pirates had fled.  Only then did the crew feel safe enough to leave their “safe room”

Press Release.          

02 Dec 10

HMS Montrose Heads Home after 100 Days in NATO Counter Piracy Mission

29 Nov 10

NATO Flagship Esbern Snare Secures Merchant Ship after Pirate Attack

24 Nov 10

NATO Warship Esbern Snare Forces Pirates to Abandon Attack

During the early hours of yesterday morning the master of bulk carrier MV Carmencita put out a may-day call to say his ship was being attacked by a group of pirates in the Indian Ocean.    Danish warship Esbern Snare – the flag ship for NATO’s counter piracy operation, ‘Ocean Shield’ responded immediately by launching her helicopter to over fly the scene and let the pirates know that a NATO warship was on her way to assist the terrified crew.    The master relayed to HDMS Esbern Snare that his crew would be going to their safe room, while he tried to use evasion techniques to fend off the attackers - who had fired rocket propelled grenades and AK-47 gunfire at the ship.

Press Release  

As her deployment in the Somali Basin draws to a close, British warship HMS Montrose, operating as part of NATO’s counter piracy operation, Ocean Shield, left a parting shot with Somali pirates.   During one of her dawn patrols off the Somali coast, HMS Montrose’s Lynx helicopter spotted a pirate whaler anchored off a pirate known camp and it was quickly identified as the whaler from MV Zouflecar – which has been acting as a pirate ‘mother ship’ since it was taken by pirates on 3 November 2010. Press release.

19 Nov 10

NATO Warship Amsterdam Disrupts Pirates in the Indian Ocean
This morning whilst on sea patrol near the pirate camps on the east coast of Somalia, a helicopter from Dutch warship HNLMS Amsterdam, who is operating as part of NATO’s counter-piracy mission - Operation Ocean Shield, identified an ’attack group’ of suspected pirates. Equipment, such as ladders and weapons were clearly visible inside the pirate ‘whaler’ and two attack skiffs. As the Dutch helicopter fired warning shots, HNLMS Amsterdam’s Commanding Officer gave the order to launch the ship’s boarding teams to intercept the suspected pirates. After throwing their pirate equipment over board, the gang surrendered and were taken to the warship for questioning and collection of evidence. The whaler was destroyed by the NATO warship to avoid it being used for piracy again.
Press Release

15 Nov 10

NATO warship Esbern Snare Disrupts Pirates in the Gulf of Aden

In the early hours of 15 November while patrolling in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, Danish warship HDMS ESBERN SNARE, detected a suspected pirate skiff loitering in the vicinity of merchant traffic lanes.  Upon closer inspection, the crew established that 7 persons were on board the skiff and a pirate ladder was clearly visible.   ESBERN SNARE launched their boarding team in order to intercept and disrupt the suspected pirates.  Press Release  View video

14 Nov 10

NATO Warship RFA Fort Victoria Disrupts Pirates

Yesterday while patrolling the West Indian Ocean between the Somali Coast and the Seychelles, the bridge crew on the UK ship, RFA FORT VICTORIA received a call from a Seychelles fishing vessel that had sighted a possible pirate vessel. The fishing vessel had spotted a suspicious vessel with an unusually large crew and a skiff onboard. FORT VICTORIA intercepted the suspicious vessel and identified it as being a whaler often used by pirates in the Indian Ocean. Therefore it was decided to board the whaler and investigate further. Press Release

05 Nov 10

Dutch submarine Zeeleeuw Completes NATO Counter Piracy Mission

US warship, USS KAUFFMAN, participating in NATO’s counter piracy operation Ocean Shield, together with a maritime patrol aircraft from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, came to the assistance of merchant vessel ‘Go Trader’ over the weekend after she was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean. The armed pirates had fired on the merchant vessel, before scaling up the side of the ship.  The master was able to issue a distress call, before joining his crew in a ‘safe room’.   Press Release

27 Oct 10

26 Oct 10

NATO Warship HMS Montrose Races to Assist Ship After Pirate Attack

Today British warship HMS Montrose came to the aid of a German owned ship - MV Beluga Fortune after she had been attacked by armed pirates in the Indian Ocean. The Beluga Fortune sent out a „may day‟ to say that she was coming under attack, and that her crew were locking themselves in a safe room or „citadel‟ to try and prevent the pirates from taking them hostage. HMS Montrose, who is part of NATO‟s counter piracy mission, code-named Operation Ocean Shield, was the closest warship, and so raced to the scene to help the terrified crew. The pirates, hearing that HMS Montrose was on her way, abandoned the ship, but not before setting fire to part of the superstructure. As the Beluga Fortune‟s crew had barricaded themselves in, they were unaware if the pirates were still on board or not, and so were very relieved when a team of Royal Marines from HMS Montrose boarded the vessel this afternoon and released them from the safe room. None of the crew were injured. Press Release View Pictures

24 Oct 10

13 Oct 10

NATO Warship HMS Montrose prevents pirate attacks

Today UK warship HMS Montrose, who is part of NATO’s counter piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield off the Horn of Africa, prevented a gang of suspected pirates from prowling in to the Indian Ocean to attack merchant ships. A pirate gang consisting of ten men was seen acting suspiciously near to a known pirate camp off the coast of Somalia.  Their boat, loaded with ladders and fuel drums was towing two other smaller vessels that have been traditionally used for pirate attacks against ships 

Press Release View pictures

01 Oct 10

NATO Warship HMS Montrose disrupts pirates

Earlier today after only 4 days into her latest NATO counter-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, British navy warship HMS Montrose has disrupted a group of suspected pirates believed to be about to attack a North Korean merchant vessel who was transiting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. Press release View photos

18 Sept 10

11 Sept 10

NATO Warship Esbern Snare Conducts Second Pirate Disruption in 24 hours  

10 Sept 10

NATO warship Esbern Snare Disrupts Piracy in Gulf of Aden

 08 Sept 10

31 August 10

31 August 10

23 August 10

16 August 10

9 August 10

6 August 10

NATO warships meet for counter piracy mission handover

30 June 10