Belgian frigate BNS Louise-Marie is on her way home after completing three months of counter piracy patrols with the European Union’s counter piracy mission – EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) – Operation Atalanta. BNS Louise-Marie joined EU NAVFOR, which fights piracy off the coast of Somalia, on 23 November 2012.
During her time with EU NAVFOR, the Belgian warship apprehended two Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) at sea, helping to keep the seas off the Horn of Africa safer for mariners transiting the area.
She also provided sea escorts to World Food Programme (WFP) shipping, which deliver much-needed food to the Somali people and working with closely with EU Naval Force warship FS Surcouf, Louise-Marie also provided humanitarian support to ten Indian mariners, who had been rescued by EU Navfor warship FS Surcouf.
On completion of her EU NAVFOR mission, Force Commander Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes thanked the Commanding Officer of Louise-Marie, Commander Hans Huygens, and his crew for their outstanding contribution to Operation Atalanta.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 12, 2013; Image: EUNAVFOR