Combined Maritime Forces

A 25-nation naval partnership

CMF Assists MV CPO China Following Suspected Pirate Attack

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Combined Maritime Forces

At approximately 13:45 (Bahrain time) on Monday, 3 January 2011, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) was
notified of a distress call from the merchant vessel CPO China, a UK flagged tanker, indicating that it was
under pirate attack whilst underway in the North Arabian Sea.

The ship reported taking fire from several skiffs and, despite evasive maneuvering,
was boarded by the suspected pirates.

The ship’s master mustered his 20 man crew in the ship’s citadel, a secure
compartment from where they could retain control of the ship.

Australian frigate HMAS Melbourne, currently serving with CMF’s counter-piracy

mission, Combined Task Force 151, was the nearest warship to CPO China and was
immediately ordered to assist.

At approximately 17:15, HMAS Melbourne’s helicopter arrived in the vicinity of the

In response to a distress call
HMAS Melbourne's boarding
party, embarked on Rigid Hull
Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), prepare
to conduct a boarding on tanker
CPO China. (Photo ©
Commonwealth of Australia)
CPO China and the warship established communications with the crew. Having
been unable to take control of the merchant vessel, and with Melbourne on the
scene, the pirates left the ship
The Master of the CPO China reported that all the crew members were safe. At first
light the next morning a security team from HMAS Melbourne boarded the ship to
ensure it was secure and to assist the crew in exiting the citadel.

A CMF spokesman said, “Somali pirates operate across a vast expanse of sea. They use large mother ships to
travel great distance from the Somali coast, from where they can launch fast skiffs to attack international
shipping”.

“We are pleased that HMAS Melbourne was close enough to intervene in this instance. However, coalition
warships may not always be in the vicinity of a pirate attack. That is why we emphasize that seafarers have the
power to greatly reduce their chances of being pirated if they take simple precautions”.

“Mariners transiting these waters should follow the guidance laid out in Best Management Practice Volume 3.
Merchant Masters are also advised to regularly check Navigation Area Warnings and liaise closely with
Maritime Trade authorities if further guidance is required.”

Other CMF warships have also been involved in disrupting pirate activities in recent days.

On January 2, the U.S. Navy cruiser USS Lake Champlain was

On January 2, the U.S. Navy cruiser USS Lake Champlain was
ordered to investigate a suspicious vessel that had been spotted in the
Gulf of Aden. The vessel displayed the hallmarks associated with the
kind of ‘skiff’ commonly used by pirates.

As Lake Champlain launched her helicopter to investigate, the

suspicious vessel increased its speed and was seen to be throwing
items overboard. The vessel initially refused verbal commands to stop,
HMAS Melbourne has been serving with Combined
but ultimately heeded directions after warning shots were fired. Maritime Forces since September 2010. (Photo: ©
Commonwealth of Australia)

Personnel from Lake Champlain then boarded the skiff and

confiscated excess fuel and a motor. The vessel was then released.

CMF’s counter-piracy operation, Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, consists of international warships and
patrol aircraft in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and Somali Basin. It is commanded by Commodore Abdul
Aleem of the Pakistan Navy. In recent months it has included ships from Australia, Singapore, Republic of
Korea, Thailand and Turkey, UK and U.S.

CTF 151ʹ′s mission is to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy, protecting maritime vessels of any nationality and
securing freedom of navigation. In conjunction with other international navies and organisations, CTF 151
conducts patrols in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor and supports Best Management
Practice methods for piracy avoidance that are promoted to the shipping industry.

CTF 151 is one of three task forces operated by Combined Maritime Forces, a 25-nation coalition based in
Bahrain. Its main focus areas are defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging cooperation and
promoting a safe maritime environment throughout the
Middle East maritime domain.

About Combined Maritime Forces

CMF is a unique multi-national naval coalition, dedicated to promoting security and prosperity across 2.5 million square miles
of international waters in the Middle East. CMF’s main focus areas are defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, reducing illegal
activities, and promoting a safe maritime environment.
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This entry was posted in CTF 151 and tagged Arabian Gulf, Australia, CMF, Counter-piracy, CTF-151, USA. Bookmark the permalink.

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