Russian cruiser Petr Veliky sails through "pirate-risky" Gulf of Aden

23.04.2010 Russian heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Petr Veliky left the Red Sea through Bab el Mandeb and is presently sailing in the Gulf of Aden known for frequent pirate assaults, reports RIA Novosti.

After 23 days of cruise started from Northern Fleet's main naval base Severomorsk, the cruiser covered about 7,000 nautical miles.

"The ship is ready to accomplish any unexpected task both here in Gulf of Aden and in Indian Ocean. Countering piracy is not the primary mission for the cruiser; we're going to execute this task occasionally, like it was last year. We're prepared for that; all things are stand-by", said Capt 1 rank Vladimir Yakushev, cruise executive officer.

According to him, the cruise command has already contacted Japanese ships escorting a convoy through the gulf with intent to render assistance. Japanese mariners thanked for the proposal, although there was no need for help, said Yakushev.

"Now vessels sailing in a convoy are not exposed to pirate assault. Only single ships which couldn't join convoy due to different reasons are in danger", said the officer having noted that convoy method excellently proves itself.

Capt 2 rank Felix Menkov, commanding officer of Petr Veliky in his turn told about last year's mission when the cruiser's crew arrested pirates.

"We were informed that Panamanian-flagged civil ship had been under attack. We got closer and detected a boat with armed people on board. Pirates even didn't deny they had attacked the cargo ship", said Menkov.

According to him, all pirates (about ten men) were apprehended and handed to Yemeni authorities.

"In this regard we had completely prepared our crew and marines for countering pirate actions", said the cruiser's commander.

Heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Petr Veliky is a flagship of Northern Fleet; the ship sailed off Naval Base Severomorsk on March 30 to participate in large-scale ocean exercise along with Russian task force. Port calls and joint drills with Russian partners are scheduled during the cruise.

Petr Veliky is the world's biggest non-carrying warship. The cruiser is designed for destruction of large sea surface targets; antiaircraft and antisubmarine defense of naval formations in distant regions of the World Ocean.