Italian merchant vessel MV Altinia was towed into the Port of Djibouti after encountering engine problems which left the ship adrift in the Gulf of Aden.
Image: eunavfor
EU Naval Force flagship, ESPS Galicia, whilst conducting counter-piracy patrols in the region responded to a mayday call from the Italian cargo ship . As reported by the ship’s crew, the vessel had developed engine problems and was drifting at sea.
ESPS Galicia sailed close to MV Altinia to provide protection from any potential pirate attack, whilst spare engine parts were acquired from a Combined Task Force 151 warship that was in the vicinity.
Image: eunavfor
Soon afterwards, the Spanish Navy ship handed over the protection of MV Altina to EU Naval Force warship ITS Libeccio, because of other operational counter piracy tasking in the Gulf of Aden.
ITS Libeccio towed the Italian merchant vessel to the Port of Djibouti for further inspection and repairs, as it was assessed that it requires specialized technical assistance in port.