In an operation co-ordinated between the Sri Lanka Navy and the Seychelles Defence Forces, the six crew of a hi-jacked fishing vessel have been freed.
Sri Lankan fishing vessel Lorenzo Putha IV sailed with a crew of six from Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on 1st January to fish in the Arabian Sea, where it was boarded by pirates who held the crew captive.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on 27th January informed the Sri Lanka Navy about the developments and requested assistance to rescue both the crew members and their vessel.
Responding promptly to the developing situation, the Sri Lanka Navy collaborated with MRCC Seychelles, following the directives of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, to commence a joint rescue operation.
The assistance of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) which focuses on anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea, as well as regional maritime stakeholders was also sought.
In a subsequent co-ordinated operation, the Seychelles Defence Forces dispatched Coast Guard vessel Topaz to the location, approximately 230 nautical miles off the Mahe Island, within the Seychelles EEZ.
Topaz was able to free the fishing vessel’s six crew, and three pirates were also taken into custody, and Lorenzo Putha IV is being escorted to Port Victoria in the Seychelles following a successful rescue operation.
