The frigate F-86 ‘Canarias’, integrated in Operation Eunavfor Atalanta, hands over six suspected pirates to the Seychelles authorities

• The navy vessel intercepted them at sea after being tipped off about the attack on a merchant ship

The frigate F-86 ‘Canarias’ has handed over to the Seychelles authorities in Port Victoria six suspected pirates who had been rescued from the waters of the Gulf of Aden. It appears that they may have been involved in the attack on a merchant ship on Friday 10 May.

The Spanish vessel received an alert on Friday 10 May of a pirate attack on the merchant vessel ‘MV Chrystal Artic’ in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. At that time, the ‘Canarias’ set an interception course at maximum speed as it was 55 nautical miles away from the position of the incident.

In the same alert, the ‘MV Chrystal Artic’ explained how the attack was carried out by six pirates who opened fire on the vessel and that it managed to repel the attack thanks to the security team.

The Spanish frigate ordered the flight of the SH60-F helicopter of the 5th Aircraft Squadron to locate, as soon as possible, the responsible vessel for the attack. In the meantime, it continued to sail to the area at maximum speed. The helicopter reached the position of the incident in a short time and located the six alleged perpetrators of the attack at sea with significant injuries such as cuts and burns and with their boat on the verge of sinking.

Shortly afterwards, and after the pirate vessel had completely sunk, the helicopter launched two life rafts that served to ensure the survival of the suspected pirates until the vessel arrived in the area.

When the ‘Canarias’ reached the position, it lowered its boats and proceeded to take the presumed attackers of the merchant ship into custody. This action was taken by the Special Naval Warfare Team (FGNE), which also collected the remains of material from the sunken vessel from the sea for later use as possible evidence of the attack.

Once on board, the suspected pirates were identified and recognised by the frigate's ROLE-2F medical team. One of them had to be treated urgently for his injuries and the medical team was able to stabilise him.

The frigate ‘Canarias’ set course at maximum speed for the city of Port Victoria in the Seychelles, where the wounded man was evacuated and those in custody were handed over to the authorities. The Seychelles is a country with which Operation ‘ATALANTA’ has a legal agreement that allows for the surrender and subsequent prosecution of suspected pirates who intercept vessels involved in this EU operation in the Indian Ocean.

Participation in Operation Atalanta is part of Spain's firm commitment to the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy, in terms of providing a comprehensive European Union response to the phenomenon of piracy, while contributing to international stability and security.

This is the fifth time the ‘Canarias’ has taken part in operation ‘Atalanta’ and it will remain integrated in EUNAVFOR until next June. In 2009, this frigate participated in the rescue of the Basque tuna boat ‘Alakrana’, also within the framework of operation ‘Atalanta’.

The frigate ‘Canarias’ belongs to the 41st Escort Squadron, and is the most modern of the six frigates of the Santa María class. These frigates are based in Rota (Cádiz) and, despite their age, maintain their full operational capabilities and maintain a continuous presence in operation ‘Atalanta’.