Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit consisting of large ASW ship Admiral Tributs, tanker Pechenga, and seagoing tug MB-37 has arrived in the Gulf of Aden to keep anti-piracy watch.
PF naval mariners headed by Capt 1 rank Ildar Akhmerov will spend several months maintaining maritime security near the Horn of Africa.
All ships of the task unit have PF marines on board specially trained for anti-piracy mission.
According to Capt 1 rank Ildar Akhmerov , most of servicemen have already had anti-piracy experience in the Gulf of Aden, including release of captured ships. Systems and armament operates normally. Crewmen conduct scheduled maintenance of all ship-board systems, feel well and are ready to accomplish assigned mission.
The task unit will start forming the first convoy on Jan 15, 2012. Till that time PF servicemen will conduct counter-terror drills.
Six PF task units earlier deployed off African coast have successfully executed anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, January 13, 2012