The commitment of the Margottini ship in the Atalanta anti-piracy operation ends

(To Marina Militare)
13/06/19

The European Multi Mission Frigate (FREMM) Carlo Margottini has concluded its participation in the operation Atalanta, ensuring attendance and surveillance duties along maritime traffic lines.

From 8 March to 30 May, Ship Margottini participated in the 30ª operation of the operation Atalanta, in the device EU NAVFOR Somalia, with a budget of 13.000 miles traveled, 1.500 hours of motion, 150 flight hours of the two helicopters boarded, 20 consensual visits to boats in Somali waters, 15 missions of market, Surveillance and Reconnaissance of data collection, 14 patrol missions Surface Surveillance Control and 26 queries to merchant ships and boats.

During the three months of participation in the operation, the Navy unit conducted training activities for the Navy and the Coast Guard of Djibouti on topics such as maritime security, in the context of Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) with the aim of developing autonomous capabilities in the fight against illicit activities including piracy. Furthermore, Nave Margottini carried out training and cooperation activities with the related marinas during stops in Muscat (Oman), Port Victoria (Seychelles), Salalah (Oman) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

In Djibouti, the unit's crew also found ways to conduct Civilian and Military Cooperation (CiMiC) activities to provide support in meeting the primary needs of the country's less well-off civilian population. As part of this activity, foodstuffs were also distributed to the crews of the 20 boats approached in Somali territorial waters, as a gesture of closeness and support to local communities to promote the presence of EU NAVFOR units.

At the conclusion of the operational activity, in Djibouti the unit had the opportunity to host the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mrs Federica Mogherini, and the operation commander Atalanta, Admiral Martorell, for a meeting with the prominent elements of the local and international community in which Europe's future and ongoing commitment to combating piracy has been envisaged.