After MV Royal Grace was released by pirates on Friday 8 March, it was EU Naval Force Spanish Offshore Patrol Vessel ESPS Rayo who ensured that the chemical tanker and her crew stayed safe as the vessel sailed north towards Omani waters.
ESPS Rayo was conducting counter piracy patrols last Friday 8 March, when she was tasked to take over the role of escorting MV Royal Grace to safer waters from EU NAVFOR flagship ESPS Méndez Núñez. Royal Grace had been held in a pirate anchorage for over a year close to the northern Somali coast after been pirated on 2 March 2012.
As ESPS Rayo escorted MV Royal Grace, the Spanish Navy sailors provided food and water and medical assistance as required.
MV Royal Grace is now safely berthed in the port of Salalah. In a farewell to the ESPS Rayo, the crew of Royal Grace thanked the Spanish warship’s crew for the protection and support they had provided.
Speaking about the 4 day escort given to MV Royal Grace, the Commanding Officer of ESPS Rayo said “My ship’s company and I were delighted to be able to provide a safe escort and reassurance to the crew of MV Royal Grace. These men have suffered for so long, soon they will be reunited with their families.”
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 15, 2013; Image: US Navy