French Frigate Seizes Pirate ‘Mother Ship’

French naval forces seized 11 suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia April 15, as pirates ramp up attacks on commercial ships in the Indian Ocean.

The French attacked what they described as a pirate “mother ship” — a 30-foot boat —while responding to a distress call from the container ship Safmarine Asia.

Pirates in two skiffs attacked the ship with rocket-propelled grenades and small firearms. The French frigate Nivôse sent a helicopter to the aid of the Liberian-flagged vessel.

The helicopter shadowed the “mother ship” until the warship arrived on the scene. All the suspected pirate vessels were seized, along with a range of firearms and equipment.

The incident follows the rescue of Maersk Alabama Captain Richard Phillips by the U.S. Navy and the killing of three pirates who held Phillips hostage April 12.

Pirates attacked the U.S.-flagged Liberty Sun April 15 but were unable to board it.

For more information on piracy in the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and other areas, visit the Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa and the International Chamber of Commerce’s Piracy Reporting Centre.
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