The Italian Navy frigate ITS Libeccio has assisted a drifting Yemeni dhow during her patrolling within the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta.
ITS Libeccio’s crew saw the dhow moving at a very low speed 100 nautical miles from the shore. The technical personnel from the Italian ship boarded the dhow and confirmed that the engine was beyond repair.
Because of the engine problems, ITS Libeccio pushed the dhow at low speed for the whole night and in the morning of February 1 called the local Coast Guard to send patrol boat to recover the dhow.
The crew of the dhow was supplied with food and fresh water.
After ensuring the dhow was safe, ITS Libeccio returned to the Gulf of Aden to continue her patrol.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 5, 2014; Image: EU NAVFOR