PF task unit completed anti-piracy mission

07.06.2010 Pacific Fleet (PF) task unit led by large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov have completed international anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden and set a course for home base Vladivostok, reports RIA Novosti citing Capt 1 rank Roman Martov, the head of PF Information and Public Relations Service.

The fourth PF task unit consisting of large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov, tanker Pechenga, and ocean-going salvage tug MB-37 left Vladivostok heading for the Horn of Africa on Feb 24. The unit arrived to the Gulf of Aden on March 27 and has been taking part in international anti-piracy mission for over two months.

"The task unit headed by Capt 1 rank Ildar Akhmerov has excellently accomplished the task given by Russian Navy command to protect civil convoys from pirate assaults in the Gulf of Aden. The unit has been on station for over two months and escorted 11 convoys with over 100 merchant ships from various countries. At present, the unit is sailing homeward", pointed out the interviewee.

On May 6 PF marines and the crew of Marshal Shaposhnikov freed Liberian-flagged tanker Moscow University with 23 Russian sailors on board pirated in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was carrying 86,000 tons of oil from the Red Sea to China. None of Russians suffered during the release operation; ten pirates were arrested, one killed. Afterwards, the pirates were let go.

"All participants of the ship release operation displayed high skills and professionalism. Despite armed resistance, anti-terror team managed to neutralize all captors and release the tanker's crew", said the interviewee.

According to him, directors of numerous foreign companies sent dozens of grateful letters and telegrams to PF command mentioning high professionalism of Russian servicemen.

"Most of shipmasters were seeking to join convoys escorted by Russian mariners as the length of their route was much longer than the ordinary ones. That provided extra security guarantees for crews of civil ships", he said.

Exact date of arrival to Vladivostok is uncertain, since PF mariners could pay friendly visits to Asian countries on their way home, Martov said.

Large ASW ship Marshal Shaposhnikov has two deck-based helicopters on board; they have been providing permanent aerial reconnaissance. Besides, on board each vessel are PF marine units which had to counter pirates many times including the tanker release operation.