Page 69 - HeliOps Frontline Issue 26

HELIOPS FRONTLINE / ISSUE 26 / 2019 69

Mediterranean and overlooking the Libyan coast, and with up to five
vessels operating continuously to ensure constant surveillance in
the area of operations.
As a result of longstanding European Union concerns regarding
the effect of Somali-based piracy and armed robbery at sea off the
Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean, and in accordance
with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and international law,
the European Union Naval Force Atalanta (EU NAVFOR - Atalanta)
was launched on 8 December 2008, created within the framework
of the European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
Somali-based piracy is characterised by criminals taking control of
vessels transiting the high-risk area in the region to extort ransom
money for the crew, vessel and cargo, bearing all the features
of organised crime. Crews held hostage by pirates often face a
prolonged period of captivity averaging five months, although some
hostages have been held for almost three years. Moreover, piracy
impacts on international trade, maritime security and the economic
activities and security of countries in the region. On 30 July 2018
Operation Atalanta was extended by the European Council until
December 2020 and it has the following objectives: to protect of
vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) and other vulnerable
shipping, to deter, prevent and repress piracy and armed robbery
at sea, to monitor fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and to
support other EU missions and international organisations working