On Dec 13, the 'Esbern Snare' received information suggesting that there may be an active pirate group around the island of Bioko. The frigate set off in the direction of the possible pirate group, and sent the helicopter in advance to observe. As the helicopter approached, it received a Mayday signal from the container ship 'Tonsberg' (IMO: 9216999). The helicopter crew saw a skiff on the side of the ship, and a number of suspected pirates and six hostages aboard the skiff. The people on the skiff threw objects overboard, apparently to be able to sail faster, and then set course for the north and the Niger Delta with the hostages on board. The Seahawk helicopter followed the skiff for a while at a safe distance so as not to endanger the hostages. The helicopter then returned to the 'Esbern Snare' which is not allowed to pursue pirates in national waters. During this phase, the 'Esbern Snare' received a message that there were several crew members on board the container ship, and that one crew member was injured by gunshot wounds to the lower leg. No pirates were reported on the container ship, so a boarding team was dropped off on board the ship to provide first aid. The wounded man was later taken aboard the 'Esbern Snare' to receive medical attention. The person's condition was stable. The boarding team continued to work aboard the container ship, providing support and searching for two crew members who were missing after the incident.
News
ESBERN SNARE
During the week, the detained pirates on board the 'Esbern Snare' have had the opportunity to contact their families in Nigeria by telephone, and via video conference they have had the opportunity to meet with their appointed lawyers in Denmark. The ship's daily routines have been adapted to the new conditions with handling the pirates on board, where among others the boarding team has been given new tasks to assist the military police in connection with guarding, handling and daily trips on deck for the detainees. There have been problems with the satellite connection to the frigate. Both the weather in the Gulf of Guinea and the winter weather at home in Denmark have occasionally affected the possibility of satellite communication on board, which has made it difficult to plan video conference meetings and coordination with the authorities in Denmark around the pirates on board.
ESBERN SNARE
The four Nigerian pirates who are on board the 'Esbern Snare' will be remanded in custody until December 22. The Copenhagen Judges' Guard stated this on Dec 8 after a court hearing with the pirates in absentia. "What becomes central in the case is who shot first. They sit completely unprotected in an open small boat. And as I understand the case, shots are first fired from the Danish helicopter", said one of the pirates' defenders, lawyer Birgitte Skjødt. She believes that the pirates could be a legal defender if it was the Danish forces that fired first. Military police aboard the Esbern Snare have collected fingerprints, DNA and gunpowder sludge samples for use in the investigation.
ESBERN SNARE
One of the pirates held captured aboard the 'Esbern Snare,'was so badly wounded that it was necessary for the Danish doctors on board the frigate to amputate one of the man's legs, because due to the severe injuries to the lower leg. But his health was progressing so that he was stable and staying in the ship's hospital. Four pirates were killed and four arrested after the firefight between the Danish special forces and the pirates. There were many indications that a ninth person was on the speedboat used by the pirates. There were still no traces of the missing.
DANUM 53
On Dec 7, 2021, a small boat approached the starboard side of the barge 'Linau 135' which was towed by the 'Danum' about 10, 2 nautical miles from Pulau Jangkat. The master raised the alarm upon sighting three unauthorised persons boarding the barge. A search was conducted but there was no further sighting of the unauthorised persons. All crew were accounted for with no reported injuries. The master was unable to confirm if anything was stolen from the barge. The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information System (VTIS) West. The tug and barge were bound for Pasir Gudang. A safety navigational broadcast was initiated. The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) and Singapore Police Coast Guard were notified. Information of the incident was shared with Malaysian and Indonesian authorities.