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Coalition Naval Assets Challenge Hijackers On South Korean Motor Vessel

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060404-16
4/4/2006

From Combined Forces Maritime Component Public Affairs

USS ROOSEVELT (NNS) -- Ships conducting maritime security operations (MSO) as part of Coalition Task Force 150 (CTF 150), received bridge-to-bridge reports at approximately 10 a.m. local, April 4 from Motor Vessel Dong Won (628), a South Korean-flagged fishing vessel, that it had been fired upon approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.

Combined Maritime Forces Component Commander (CFMCC), based in Bahrain, immediately directed multiple maritime assets from CTF 150 to respond.

The Dutch ship HNLMS Zeven Provincien (F 802) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), which were conducting maritime security operations in the vicinity, were tasked to monitor the situation.

At approximately 3 p.m., Dong Won, towing two skiffs, turned toward Somali territorial waters. The coalition ships tried to thwart it from doing so; however, the motor vessel did reach territorial waters after the pirates aboard demonstrated hostile intent toward the crew members. The top priority is the safety of innocent lives. CTF 150 assets remained in international waters and continued to monitor the situation.

CTF 150 routinely patrols the international waters of the Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea conducting maritime security operations.

MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

CTF 150 is one of three coalition maritime task forces that conduct MSO under the direction of Vice Adm. Patrick Walsh, CFMCC, based in Bahrain. Walsh also commands CTF 58 in the northern Persian Gulf and CTF 152, which is responsible for patrolling the central and southern Persian Gulf.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.