Action of 30 March 2010

The action of 30 March 2010 was a naval battle involving a patrol boat of the Seychelles Coast Guard and two groups of Somali pirate vessels. The encounter resulted in the freeing of twenty-seven hostages held by the pirates.

Action of 30 March 2010
Part of Piracy in Somalia, Operation Ocean Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa
Date30 March 2010
Location
25 nautical miles (46 km) off Somalia, Indian Ocean
Result Seychellois victory
Belligerents
 Seychelles Somali pirates
Commanders and leaders
Seychelles Simon Laurecine Unknown
Strength
1 Trinkat-class patrol vessel 1 armed dhow
1 trawler
2 skiffs
Casualties and losses
none 1 armed dhow sunk
1 trawler sunk
1 skiff sunk
9 captured
1 civilian wounded

Background

Topaz, a Trinkat-class patrol vessel of the Seychelles Coast Guard,[1] was sent out on an anti-piracy patrol during late March as part of a new initiative by the Government of Seychelles to combat the steady increase in Somali piracy.

Battle

On 30 April, Seychelles Coast Guard patrol vessel Topaz approached a captured vessel where nine Somali pirates were holding six Seychellois and 21 Iranian sailors hostage, and were attempting to reach the Somali coast. A Somali translator aboard Topaz sent audio calls urging the immediate release of the hostages, but the pirates ignored these demands, and continued towards the coast of Somalia even when warning shots were fired by Topaz. Seychellois President James Michel gave the order to prevent the pirates from reaching the Somali coastline at all cost.

The pirates opened fire on Topaz with rocket-propelled grenades, which Topaz evaded. Topaz then opened fire on the dhow's engine with 12.7 mm machine guns, firing a total of 10,000 rounds. The engine caught fire, forcing all of the pirates and hostages to jump overboard. Topaz then rescued all of the hostages and arrested the Somali pirates.[2] While en route back to the Seychelles, Topaz was approached by Somali pirates in a naval trawler and two skiffs. The pirates opened fire on Topaz, after which Topaz returned fire. The pirate trawler caught fire and exploded after being hit, and a skiff was also sunk by the return fire, while the last skiff managed to escape. Topaz then proceeded to Mahé.[3][4]

Aftermath

The operation was successfully completed with no casualties to either combatant, though one Iranian seaman, a hostage of the pirates, suffered a gunshot wound to the arm.

Topaz arrived in Port Victoria on 1 April 2010, and was met by the families of hostages. The nine pirates being held aboard Topaz were disembarked and taken into custody by the Seychelles Police.[5]

Notes
  1. Formerly the Indian Navy INS Tarmugli, it was transferred to the Seychelles Coast Guard on 23 February 2005, as Topaz
  2. "Seychelles coastguard vessel rescues fishermen from Somali pirates". France 24. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. Thome, Wolfgang H. (30 March 2010). "Robust Response Seychelles Coast Guard intercepts pirates and rescues crew". eTurboNews.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  4. "Seychelles coastguard destroys two pirate boats". France 24. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  5. http://www.univeralpadurii.ro/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=17911&titlu=Seychelles_Coast_Guard_patrol_ship_Topaz_receives_hero's_welcome_on_arrival_at_Port_Victoria%5B%5D
External image
image icon A Trinkat class patrol vessel

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