Tanker release operation lasted 22 min only

07.05.2010 Release operation of tanker Moscow University lasted only 22 minutes and was destined to success due to surprise effect, said during videoconference Capt 1 rank Ildar Akhmerov, commander of Russian task force deployed in the Gulf of Aden. The tanker release operation was performed Thursday morning by the crew of large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov.

"Since 5:13 am till 5:35 am, Moscow time we carried out a sudden attack upon the tanker; being covered by gunfire of Marshal Shaposhnikov, assault teams boarded the tanker. In fact, pirates were caught with pants down, since they didn't expect us to act so decisively", Akhmerov said.

"As implies antipiracy experience, once pirates managed to wriggle way on board, it's extremely hard to stink them out of there and release a vessel", he added.

As for the commander, three assault teams (6-8 men each) approached the tanker by means of fast-speed cutters.

Akhmerov also said that the crew of Marshal Shaposhnikov had been exerting permanent psychological pressure upon pirates; they assured pirates of "no ransom" and advanced demands to get off the tanker, lay down arms, and release the hostages.

According to the task force commander, such decisive actions were possible since the sailors definitely knew that all Russians were safe locked in machinery room beyond the reach of pirates. In addition, the shipmaster of Moscow University contacted Marshal Shaposhnikov, said Akhmerov.

He complimented the gumption of the tanker's crew promptly sheltered themselves in machinery room.

"Only by virtue of the crew managed to stay in locked compartment long enough, we were able to approach the ship and execute release operation", said Akhmerov.

According to Russian Ministry of Defense, the incident occurred well away from piracy-hazardous zone.

Large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov will continue patrolling the Gulf of Aden through May and June, Akhmerov said.

"We're scheduled to stay here till early July securing civil shipping in the region", said he.

Akhmerov added that almost all personnel of Marshal Shaposhnikov had been engaged in the tanker release operation.

Liberian-flagged tanker Moscow University having on board 23 Russian crewmembers and 86,000 tons of oil was hijacked Wednesday morning at the eastern part of the Gulf of Aden. The ship was sailing from the Red Sea to China. Thursday morning the tanker was freed by Russian servicemen of large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov. As a result, nobody suffered among Russians; 10 pirates were captured, one killed.

The tanker's crew managed to stop the engine and barricade themselves inside one of the ship's compartments. Not being skilled in navigation, pirates had nothing to do but drift "waiting" for the Russian warship.