EU NAVFOR: Italian Frigate Scirocco Rescues Somali Fishermen

In the afternoon of June 12th, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Italian frigate Scirocco rescued a small fishing boat (skiff type) in distress with two Somali fishermen coming from the town of Alula, on the northern coast of Somalia, in the Bari region, who reported to be adrift since June 7th following an engine failure.

ITS Scirocco was conducting a patrolling mission in the Gulf of Aden about 20 miles from the northern coast of Somalia, when the small boat was spotted with the two crew members trying to capture the ship’s attention.

After providing food, beverages and medical assistance, ITS Scirocco provided technical assistance in an effort to repair the engine. As the failure could not be repaired at sea, the skiff was towed by Scirocco’s jet boat towards the Somali coast in vicinity of Alula, ensuring the safe transfer of the two fishermen.

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Source: EU NAVFOR, June 13, 2012