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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Royal Navy captures 13 Somali pirates | Royal Navy captures 13 Somali pirates |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Royal Navy has captured 13 Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, the Ministry of Defence says. | The Royal Navy has captured 13 Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, the Ministry of Defence says. |
| RFA Fort Victoria and a US Navy vessel intercepted the pirates' boat, which had refused to stop despite warning shots from a Royal Navy helicopter. | RFA Fort Victoria and a US Navy vessel intercepted the pirates' boat, which had refused to stop despite warning shots from a Royal Navy helicopter. |
| Royal Marines in speedboats approached the vessel and boarded it, capturing 13 pirates and seizing weapons. | Royal Marines in speedboats approached the vessel and boarded it, capturing 13 pirates and seizing weapons. |
| Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the UK personnel, part of a Nato-led force, could be "proud" of the success. | Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the UK personnel, part of a Nato-led force, could be "proud" of the success. |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the suspected pirates had been placed on board RFA Fort Victoria "while investigations continue to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute". | A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the suspected pirates had been placed on board RFA Fort Victoria "while investigations continue to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute". |
| Mr Hammond said: "The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are playing a crucial role in securing and protecting international sea lanes that are vital to global trade. | Mr Hammond said: "The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are playing a crucial role in securing and protecting international sea lanes that are vital to global trade. |
| He added: "This operation off the coast of Somalia is a clear demonstration of Britain's ability to tackle piracy that threatens our interests." | He added: "This operation off the coast of Somalia is a clear demonstration of Britain's ability to tackle piracy that threatens our interests." |
| Capt Gerry Northwood leads the counter-piracy operation on RFA [Royal Fleet Auxiliary] Fort Victoria, which is based at Southampton. | |
| He said: "This was a well-executed operation by Nato forces to locate a known Somali pirate group that was operating in international shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean. | He said: "This was a well-executed operation by Nato forces to locate a known Somali pirate group that was operating in international shipping lanes of the Indian Ocean. |
| "An effective boarding was safely executed by the Royal Marine boarding team based in RFA Fort Victoria and this has safely neutralised the effect of the pirate mothership. | "An effective boarding was safely executed by the Royal Marine boarding team based in RFA Fort Victoria and this has safely neutralised the effect of the pirate mothership. |
| "This firm and positive action will also send a clear message to other Somali pirates that we will not tolerate their attacks on international shipping." | "This firm and positive action will also send a clear message to other Somali pirates that we will not tolerate their attacks on international shipping." |
| Last year, the Prime Minister David Cameron announced a conference on the piracy problem would take place in London in February 2012. | |
| A month earlier, Mr Cameron said ships sailing under a British flag would be able to carry armed guards to protect them from pirates in future. | |
| Dawn operation | Dawn operation |
| This latest operation was carried out around dawn on Friday. | |
| Capt Shaun Jones RFA, commanding officer on RFA Fort Victoria, said: "To manoeuvre such a large ship at speed in close vicinity of a nimble dhow takes extreme concentration and skill; my team were never found wanting." | Capt Shaun Jones RFA, commanding officer on RFA Fort Victoria, said: "To manoeuvre such a large ship at speed in close vicinity of a nimble dhow takes extreme concentration and skill; my team were never found wanting." |
| Capt James Sladden, who commanded the Royal Marines boarding party, added: "The moment of going on board the dhow was tense as we knew there were pirates on board who had refused to stop despite our warning shots. | Capt James Sladden, who commanded the Royal Marines boarding party, added: "The moment of going on board the dhow was tense as we knew there were pirates on board who had refused to stop despite our warning shots. |
| "Through our weapon sights we could see there were about 13 pirates, mostly gathered in the area of the bridge. We quickly boarded and secured the vessel before mustering the pirates on the bow." | "Through our weapon sights we could see there were about 13 pirates, mostly gathered in the area of the bridge. We quickly boarded and secured the vessel before mustering the pirates on the bow." |