Seychelles gets aggressive in pursuing Somali pirates

VICTORIA, Seychelles (eTN) – The Seychelles Coast Guard has arrested 3 suspected Somali pirates north-west of the 1.3 million square kilometer Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ ), which borders

VICTORIA, Seychelles (eTN) – The Seychelles Coast Guard has arrested 3 suspected Somali pirates north-west of the 1.3 million square kilometer Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ ), which borders with Somali waters.

The three men identified themselves as Somali nationals. They were travelling in a 6-meter skiff with several barrels of fuel and water onboard.

The Seychelles Coast Guard vessel PS Andromache was alerted to reports of the presence of a Somali boat in the area by the EU naval forces Atalanta on Thursday, April 30, as several pirates attacks had been reported in the vicinity.

The PS Andromache apprehended the 3 men on Saturday afternoon, May 2.

Seychelles President James Michel congratulated the Seychelles Coast Guard for successfully tracking down the vessel and detaining the suspected pirates. โ€œWe are exceedingly encouraged by this latest suspected pirate arrest. The arrest is further indication that a coordinated approach is an effective means of combating piracy in the region,โ€ the Seychelles president said.

President Michel said that the joint effort of all the partner countries in the region is ensuring that the Seychelles EEZ is safe.

โ€œThe western Indian Ocean is a large expanse of water,โ€ he said. โ€œHowever, this arrest and last weekโ€™s arrest of 9 suspected pirates by the Seychelles Coast Guard in a joint operation with the Spanish, French and Indian Navy, all show that international cooperation in the fight against piracy is really working.โ€

The PS Andromache is expected in Port Victoria on Sunday, May 3, at approximately 1800 hours. On arrival, the 3 suspected pirates will be examined by health practitioners and detained by the Seychelles Police Force. They are expected to be charged this week.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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