Yemenis lead in the challenge to make the Gulf of Aden safe
by Nancy Knudsen on 17 Mar 2009
Yemeni coast guards often travel on board ships as security escort - photo by J Kodoma SW
When Yemeni Coastguards figured in a heroic fight against Somali pirates last week, one can't help thinking how times have changed in the Gulf of Aden. Just three years ago, cruising sailors transiting the Gulf of Aden had to be on the lookout for Somali pirates from the south and Yemeni pirates from the north. As the Somali threat swiftly became an international crisis, the Yemeni pirates have just as swiftly vanished, as Yemeni joins in the battle to make the Gulf of Aden safe for all.
Yemeni coast guard have become front runners in the fight against piracy. Last week they foiled a piracy attempt that targeted a Korean oil tanker. They reported receiving an SOS from the Korean ship that was being attacked and threatened by Somali pirates to surrender or be shelled by an rocket propelled grenade launcher. A coast guard anchored in Ras Amran sailed 47 nm into international waters to engage the pirates. Two coast guards were already on board the Korean tanker, escorting it.
They exchanged fire with the pirates, killing one pirate and injuring many others. 'The pirates fleed and the tanker was rescued and continued its route to the Red Sea,' commented an observer.
The Korean tanker, carrying 100,0000 tons of diesel was en route from Asia to Europe. The Somali pirates had fired machine guns at the ship causing slight damage including hitting the ship lights, breaking a number of its windows and damaging the tanker’s hull in several places.
Captain of the Korean ship expressed gratitude and extended compliments to all of the Yemeni coast guards. 'They were very very excellent and deserve to be held as a good example to all persons engaging in security affairs,' said the captain in a gratitude message he sent to Yemeni Coast Guard Authority and to Lotus security company based in Yemen.
Deputy Manager of the Coast guards of the Gulf of Aden district AbdulRahman Mosa said that most commercial ships and tankers now usually ask Yemeni coast guards to escort them while passing through the Gulf of Aden. He said that the coast guards either provide boats to escort the ships or provide some coast guards on board the ships according to the demands of the ships companies.
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