On Saturday 30 August, EU Naval Force warship BNS Leopold I conducted their first friendly approach with two Yemeni fishing vessels.
Having sighted the vessels at sea with approximately 15 men, women and children on board, the warship’s Boarding Party was dispatched to investigate the situation.
Once on board, the Belgium Navy crew was able to confirm that the people were fishermen and the Yemini master stated that he and his crew had run out of drinking water and that one of the fishermen had a leg injury. BNS Leopold I’s team provided drinking water and food and the warship’s medical officer attended to the injured man’s leg.
The Yemini fishermen provided some information concerning navigation and fishing activity in the area.
Friendly approaches such as this help to strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the EU Naval Force and local seafarers. It also enables counter-piracy forces to obtain first hand information about possible piracy incidents in the area.