Omani support for anti-piracy operations hailed

By Conrad Prabhu

MUSCAT — Last month’s successful operation by Omani naval forces to liberate an Omani-flagged fishing dhow has been hailed by a high-ranking Dutch official as a classic example of how countries in the region can help support international anti-piracy efforts. Commodore Ben Bekkering of the Royal Netherlands Navy praised the “very successful co-operation” extended by the Sultanate in combating pirate attacks on least two occasions during the past month.

He cited in particular the June 30 incident in which Omani authorities agreed to prosecute seven suspected pirates arrested during the liberation of the Omani dhow, Al Boom. “That incident of three weeks ago has been proven to be a textbook operation from start to finish,” Commodore Bekkering said. “We see a forward-leaning proactive approach by the Omani (authorities) in fighting piracy. We all realise that if the pirates are successful, then maritime transport will be more difficult and our economies will suffer.

HNLMS Evertsen
Photo: Oman Observer 

"I think Oman, with its main ports like Salalah playing a pivotal role in transport, it is important that safety and security of maritime transportation is ensured. Therefore, I understand and appreciate very much the professional stance of the Omani navy,” he stated in comments to journalists on the bridge of the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen, which is currently visiting Oman. As commander of Nato’s counter-piracy mission codenamed ‘Operation Ocean Shield’, Commodore Bekkering oversees a naval task force that includes the HNLMS Evertsen.

The frigate, which had also played a key role in the liberation of the Al Boom, arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos yesterday at the start of a four-day stopover for ‘rest and recreation’, as well as to take on fresh supplies. Detailing the “textbook” nature of the co-operation extended by Oman in the June 30 liberation of Al Boom, he said a swift response was possible due to crucial information provided by Oman’s maritime operations centre about the dhow.

“Based on bits of information that we were able to piece together, the Evertsen intercepted the dhow and liberated the crew of seven, and also seized seven suspected pirates on board. One of suspected pirates had died in an attack they had staged a couple of days before, so we had to give him a burial at sea in the proper tradition. "The Dutch government then negotiated with the Omani government on the prosecution of the suspected pirates. Within 2-3 days there was an agreement that since the dhow had been hijacked and since it was an Omani owned, the Sultanate decided to handle the prosecution.

"For us, it was not only great news to have liberated a dhow, but to also hand over the suspected pirates to a judge to decide (on their fate). This was the most perfect conclusion of a pirate incident. There have been occasions in the past where we had got hold of pirates but had to send them back to shore because there was no nation to accept them for prosecution,” Commodore Bekkering said.

More recently, an Omani naval vessel had also come to the rescue of another hijacked dhow that had been abandoned after it ran out of fuel. The vessel and its crew are now making their way through choppy waters en route to Salalah with assistance provided by Omani naval forces, he said.

(Oman Observer, 22 July 2012)

NATO Commander and Russian Counterpart Exchange Counter-Piracy Views

The Commander of the Russian counter-piracy mission, Captain First Rank Vladimir A. Kondratov, visited NATO’s counter-piracy flagship HNLMS Evertsen today. The aim of the visit was to share experiences of counter-piracy efforts and seek opportunities to improve the level of cooperation and coordination.

After being welcomed by the Task Force Commander, Commodore Ben Bekkering, the Russian delegation was briefed about NATO’s counter-piracy mission, Operation Ocean Shield. Captain Kondratov, in turn, provided an overview of the Russian counter-piracy efforts and current convoy procedures. Considerable time was spent sharing views and information about the current situation around the Horn of Africa, including the most recent hijacking attempts and the use of private security teams. Both commanders agreed that there was scope to expand the exchange of information and that they would seek ways to achieve that. In addition, they agreed to investigate possibilities for counter-piracy related exercises.

Commodore Bekkering flanked by visiting Russian officers. Photo: NATO

The visit was concluded with a tour through the flagship of CTF 508, HNLMS Evertsen. During this tour the Russian delegation talked with the Enhanced Boarding Team and the advanced resuscitation medical team.

“Counter-piracy is truly a combined effort of the international community”, stated Cdre Bekkering after the visit. “Like NATO’s navies, the Russian navy has been present in the waters off Somalia ever since piracy became a scourge to the merchant shipping there. And ever since that moment, NATO’s task force commanders have been meeting with their Russian counterparts. This has resulted in increased coordination and cooperation. Having met Captain Kondratov and having been able to share thoughts, I am convinced we now know when and where to find each other when needed, to the benefit of the overall counter-piracy effort”. 
(NATO news release, 20 June 2012)