14 Oct 13 - 10:07
An International Recognised Transit Corridor (IRTC) has been established to ensure security
Within
the Gulf of Aden, piracy is a significant threat to the shipping
community and a stricken Motor Vessel (MV) would make easy prey. When a
MV recently suffered engine failure and lost all propulsion in the
region, a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft and warships from South
Korea, China, India, Italy and Japan were quick to provide coordinated
assistance and protection to avoid any risk to the vessel and her crew.
To ensure merchant ships sail through this region safely, an International Recognised Transit Corridor
(IRTC) has been established under the protection of warships from
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), EU, NATO and other independent deployers
from India, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan.
The stricken motor vessel at sea in the Gulf of Aden (Image credit: Combined Maritime Forces)
ROKS Wang Geon as the closest warship to the stricken MV was first on
the scene. Roks Wang Geon is currently operating under the Combined
Task Force (CTF) 151, whose mission is to deter, disrupt and thwart acts
of piracy.
This multinational task force conducts counter-piracy operations in
and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea
and would always respond to environmental and humanitarian crises
including Safety of Life at Sea emergencies.
ROKS Wang Geon provided maritime protection whilst technical
specialists from her crew carried out repairs to the defective engine.
Once able to move under her own power, albeit at a slower pace than
normal, the MV was escorted safely through the IRTC. Escort duties
where handed over to ITS Zeffiro, who later handed over the
responsibility to PLAN Hengshui, who escorted the MV safely into the
port of Aden, Yemen.
Captain Young-Hee Han, Commanding Officer ROKS Wang Geon, said, "With
regard to the support we were able to offer the MV, it was the active
collaboration and information sharing amongst CMF and other coalition
forces that coordinated the effort to escort the motor vessel to her
next destination. I believe that this occasion served as an opportunity
to strengthen further the friendly relations amongst coalition forces
operating in this maritime domain."
The Commanding Officer from the MV said, "All my crew would like to
thank you for your swift response, best intentions and hugely
appreciated escort and also the excellent support whilst we were
repairing the engine."
He added "We take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance during the incident."
