Pirates captured Russian sailors off Seychelles

Two Russian citizens – residents of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad – found themselves captured by pirates; their vessel was hijacked off Seychelles. 

MV Beluga Nomination flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda was captured in Jan 22 in the Indian Ocean 800 miles northward Seychelles. According to Baltic branch of Russian Guild of Sailors, there are seven Filipinos, two Russians, two Ukrainians, and one Pole (shipmaster) on board the vessel. 

Reportedly, it seemed like the crew could keep the ship under control for several days, having barricaded themselves in the safe room. However, pirates finally managed to break down the resistance and take the vessel under control. Currently, MV Beluga Nomination is heading for Somalia. 

Despite mayday signals sent by the ship, none of warships participating in EUNAVFOR – OperationAtalanta arrived for help, reported Russian Guild of Sailors. Patrol aircraft of the naval anti-piracy coalition noticed four pirates on board the hijacked vessel. German shipowner BELUGA SHIPPING GMBH allegedly does whatever possible to release the crew, but keeps names of captives in secret for security reasons. 

According to Fontanka, representatives of Russian Guild of Sailors tried to contact different Russian and foreign authorities, but so far has not received any articulate answer on the question what our country does to save its citizens.

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Mistral components can be delivered to Russia for assemblage early in 2013

Sections of Mistral class helicopter carrier would be possibly delivered to Russia for further assemblage early in 2013, reports ARMS-TASSreferring to a representative of French shipbuilding company STX; being a part of international consortium, STX will participate in construction of two Mistral class ships in France and deliver constituent sections for further assemblage of two ships in St. Petersburg. 

As is known, the agreement on construction of Mistral landing ships was signed on Jan 25 in France. The document was endorsed by Russian vice premier Igor Sechin and French defense minister Alen Juppe. 

The ceremony was held in the presence of French president Nicolas Sarkozy at Saint-Nazaire shipyards, France. 

At present, negotiators determine scope of works for French and Russian parties. In particular, STX will construct about 80 per cent of the first ship and somewhat 60 per cent of the second one for further completion in Russia. Both ships will be delivered in sections to the United Shipbuilding Corporation which will be assembled, equipped and armed in St. Petersburg.

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Piracy challenges maritime security off Somalia

Pirates off the coast of Somalia are using bigger vessels to extend their criminal reach in a move that could prompt US Navy forces in the region to intensify techniques for pursuing the lawbreakers, says the top naval officer in the region.

Navy Vice Adm. Mark I. Fox, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet, said ina press release, that pirates have begun commandeer large merchant ships and use them as "mother ships" to put smaller boats into operation far from the coast and beyond the reach of the international forces arrayed against them.

"This is the first time we've seen persistent and increased use of mother ships -- up to eight 'pirate action groups' as we refer to them, disbursed throughout the region," Fox said, calling this development a "game changer."

Such groups may include one or two mother ships that travel with a range of dhows, skiffs and other small craft to attack and hijack international commercial vessels. Fox said the number of pirate hostages rose from 250 to about 770 between September and January. In response to this and to the pirates' evolving capabilities, "we're in a constant process of assessing the way we do our business here."

The international force that works together in the region includes participation from the political alliance with the European Union, the military alliance with NATO, and military combined task forces that bring together nations from around the world to address critical security issues facing the region, including terrorism and piracy, the media release added.

US Naval Forces Central Command is part of that mosaic, Fox said, "and then we have independent deployers like China or Russia, who are also in the region looking out for the well-being of their ships."

Everyone in the region has been "too keen" to categorize some efforts as counterpiracy and some as counterterrorism, the admiral noted.

"We've not used the same level of rigor and discipline in terms of [investigating] the counterpiracy piece as we have in the counterterrorism piece," he said. The same techniques should apply to both, he added, including investigating the sources of financing for pirates' activities, equipment, relationships and supplies.

The fight against piracy and terrorism is a critical issue in the region but it has helped countries in the region work better together, Fox said.

"Pirates are enemies of all, terrorists are enemies of all, and there has been willingness on the part of a large number of nations to come together and work together, where heretofore that hasn't happened," the admiral added.

"This is real, no-kidding capability of regional partners developing their own capacity to take care of their own water space, communicate and effectively deal with a threat that they all want to be able to manage," Fox said.

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NAVY TASK FORCE'S AUSTRALIA DAY IN FLOOD AFFECTED QUEENSLAND

An Australia Day stand down period allowed the Chief of Navy to make a visit to Navy personnel recently assigned toJTF 637 in Brisbane and Amberley.

The 150-strong Navy detachment atRAAF Base Amberley described the tasks they had completed, working in the Fernvale and Somerset regions, and described the devastation they had witnessed. On completion, Chief of Navy met with the sailors and officers assigned to the Maritime Task Group at Bulimba Barracks.

Working in the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay the Task Group personnel are responsible for surveying, locating and identifying contacts on the river bed and within the shipping channels.

All Navy personnel, whether they be working on the river, in the Bay or ashore, have worked very hard at achieving their mission said Chief of Navy.

"It is very clear to me that there is some very great work being conducted for Operation Queensland Flood Assist.

"Whilst I am not in your operational chain of command right now I take an enormous amount of pride, responsibility and accountability in ensuring you are all ready to undertake tasks of this nature," he said.

The ADF response to the flood crisis has included 1900 personnel and numerous vehicles, ships and equipment. The joint nature of the operation is particularly significant for Navy personnel said Chief of Navy.

"With the introduction of LHDs in a few years, Navy will be operating in a joint environment on a daily basis, and that's really exciting. Operations like this will help to streamline our procedures and prepare our personnel to work with our Army and Air Force colleagues," he said.

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SENATOR FEENEY JOINS YOUNG ENDEAVOUR TO CELEBRATE AUSTRALIA DAY

On Australia Day, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney welcomed the arrival of Australia’s national sail training ship Young Endeavour to Seaworks Foundation Maritime Precinct, Williamstown.

The Seaworks Maritime Precinct is the home of tall ships in Victoria and is devoted to the preservation of Victoria’s maritime history. The precinct is being promoted as part of Seaworks Open Week from 23 to 30 January 2011, andSTS Young Endeavour joined the celebrations on Australia Day.

Senator David Feeney said: ‘It was terrific to see the Young Endeavour, which is crewed by eighteen young Australians, many from the local area, join with Victoria’s resident tall ship Enterprize and engaged in a mock battle, with cannon fire, off Gellibrand Point.

‘Voyages aboard Young Endeavour not only teach young Australians about their maritime history, but provide the youth crew with unique and challenging experiences.’

‘The crew develop qualities Australians are proud of: a strong sense of community and egalitarianism, teamwork and leadership skills.’

‘I would encourage Australians to come and visit the Seaworks Foundation in Williamstown to learn about Victoria’s maritime history and the early European settlement of Victoria.’

Senator David Feeney thanked Lieutenant Commander Damien Munchenberg, Commanding Officer of the Young Endeavour, Mr Stephen Moss CSC, Executive Director Young Endeavour Youth Scheme and Ms. Rennis Witham, Executive Officer of Seaworks Maritime Precinct.

The Young Endeavour will be open for public inspection between 4pm - 6pm on Australia Day, providing a backdrop centrepiece for the Seaworks Foundation Festival.

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is currently accepting applications from young Australians aged 16 – 23 for 11 day voyages along the east and south coasts of Australia aboard Young Endeavour. Voyages depart between January and August 2011.

For more information visit : http://www.navy.gov.au

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Presence of Russian fleet in Ukraine to be discussed in Kiev

Ninth session of Russian-Ukrainian intergovernmental committee on Black Sea Fleet deployment in Ukraine will be held in Kiev on Jan 27. 

On Apr 21 Russia and Ukraine agreed that presence of Black Sea Fleet in Crimea would be prolonged for 25 years with possible further extension; in exchange, Ukraine got a discount for Russian natural gas. 

"Ukrainian delegation will be headed by deputy foreign minister Ruslan Demchenko, Russian one – by deputy foreign minister Grigory Karasin", said press secretary of Ukrainian foreign ministry Alexander Dikusarov. 

According to him, the commission will analyze readiness for signing an agreement between Ukraine's cabinet of ministers and Russian government regulating movements related to BSF activities in the territory of Ukraine. 

Also, it is planned to consider a forthcoming intergovernmental agreement on joint disaster control activities in populated areas where BSF assets are deployed. 

Dikusarov said that the parties would raise an issue of bilateral agreement on jurisdiction matters and legal assistance in criminal cases while BSF deployment in Ukraine. 

Signing of intergovernmental agreement on navigational and hydrographic support of shipping in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea will be discussed as well. 

In addition, the parties will analyze inventory of lands and Ukrainian state property leased to BSF, environmental security and protection in basing sites of Black Sea Fleet.

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