Russian Marines Released Greek Tanker from Pirates

13.09.2011 Marines from large ASW ship Severomorsk released Greek tanker United Emblem captured by pirates on Sept 10, told Mikhail Voitenko, Maritime Bulletin's editor.

Full-loaded tanker United Emblem was sailing from port of Fujairah to Marseille. On Sept 10 at 6.27 am (GMT) the tanker's crew sent distress signal saying the vessel was attacked by pirates in the Red Sea 45 miles southwest port of Hodeidah, Yemen. It was said in the last report that pirates had managed to climb on board, the crew was hiding in engine room and trying to wait for military help.

Information about the capture was confirmed by EU NAVFOR command center. After a while, SomaliReport agency said the vessel hijacked in that area was released by Russian marines from large ASW ship Severomorsk. NATO's regional command center also affirmed the tanker was free heading for the destination port. According to NATO, "large ASW ship Severomorsk was somewhere around escorting bulker Medi Chennai with humanitarian aid cargo – 45,936 tons of wheat for Somalia", reports Mikhail Voitenko.

As was told to Central Navy Portal by undisclosed source from Russian Navy, marines from large ASW ship Severomorsk really boarded the Greek tanker. Details of the ship release operation have not been reported so far.

Large ASW ship Severomorsk has completed anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa and currently moves toward homebase in Northern Fleet. In the Gulf of Aden, Severomorsk will be shifted by Pacific Fleet's large ASW ship Admiral Panteleyev.