After a three-month deployment to the counterpiracy operation in the waters off the Somali coast, the submarine HNLMS Dolfijn returned to Den Helder. With family and friends looking on, a tug brought the Dolfijn and its 55-man crew safely into the naval port.
During its deployment, HNLMS Dolfijn thwarted various actions of unsuspecting pirates. It was partly thanks to the submarine that hijackings were prevented, pirates were arrested and 12 hostages were freed. During one incident, the Dolfijn discovered a pirate dhow, a traditional fishing boat, at anchor near a pirate camp. Undetected, the submarine monitored the boat for a prolonged period, during which time the submarine’s crew was able to confirm its suspicions of pirate and hijacking activities. On account of this information, NATO decided to send HDMS Absalon, a Danish naval vessel, to intervene.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , June 7, 2012; Image: Defensie