Yemen thanks the frigate ‘Victoria’ for rescuing one of its fishing boats that had been reported missing

• As part of Operation Atalanta, the Spanish ship provided support to a Yemeni dhow that was drifting off the Somali coast

On November 27, while carrying out maritime surveillance duties as part of Operation Atalanta, the frigate Victoria spotted a dhow adrift from its helicopter. The aircraft immediately reported that the ship's crew was signaling for help, apparently in an emergency situation.

The frigate, which was 60 miles away, set course for the dhow. After reaching it, attending to its crew, and carrying out initial checks, it was confirmed that it was a fishing vessel that had been reported missing five days earlier by the Yemeni authorities. The five crew members had been without propulsion or electricity for six days, which had left them completely adrift.

In the words of the officer in charge of the Victoria's Search and Seizure Unit who boarded the dhow, “the crew showed excessive joy even before we boarded. They were really worried about the uncertain situation they were in, and especially about their families. They were all very grateful.”

Subsequently, the frigate, following instructions from the Atalanta Force Headquarters (FHQ)—on board the Victoria and under the command of Portuguese Commodore Joao Silva—contacted the owner of the fishing vessel, who expressed his profound gratitude for the location of the vessel, as everyone had feared the worst. At the same time, a team of mechanics from the Victoria boarded the vessel to assess the condition of the engine and confirmed that it was not possible to carry out a makeshift repair at sea.

According to the commander of the Victoria, Commander Jorge Fernández de Navarrete, "the lives of the ship's crew are not in immediate danger, as they had provisions and good weather. However, they were extremely vulnerable to a possible pirate attack." Therefore, after assessing the possible risks and with the consent of the captain and owner of the Yemeni fishing vessel, the FHQ of the operation ordered the frigate to begin towing and escorting the vessel to the nearest safe port compatible with Operation Atalanta.

Subsequently, through the shipowner, the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its deep gratitude for Spain's gesture and the efforts made to rescue the fishing vessel: “Your noble action will always be remembered with the utmost respect and admiration by the crew and all their families.” Likewise, the families of the crew members, after receiving confirmation of their location and well-being, also conveyed their relief and gratitude to the Spanish sailors for their assistance.

Finally, on the morning of November 29, the frigate ‘Victoria’, which was in the vicinity of the Somali port of Bosaso, was relieved by the port authorities in the surveillance and escort of the rescued vessel.