Last modification: 15/04/09
 -  Piracy (maritime) - Somalia - Somalia reporter's notebook
 
Patrolling pirate-infested waters
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Since the end of 2008, the French frigate the Floréal has been chasing pirates between Bab el-Mandeb - the Gates of Hell - and the Indian Ocean, escorting ships through perilous waters. Here is a chronicle of a week on the Floréal.
The Floréal cruises along the Kenyan and Somali coast to protect the safety of ships carrying food aid against the threat of armed Somali pirates. The French military frigate embarked on January 27 on an anti-pirate mission code name Atalanta and arrested nine pirates who were preparing to hijack the African Rubis, a commercial petrol vessel with its origins in Malta. For one week FRANCE 24 special correspondents Marie-Sophie Joubert and Lucas Menget were on board the Floréal, shadowing the Floréal's mission.

  • PIRACY
    Hunting pirates with the French Navy off the Somali coast
    The Victoria, a ship chartered by the World Food Programme, leaves the Kenyan port of Mombasa bound for Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, with French frigate Floreal in its wake.
  • SOMALIA
    Readers' questions answered by 'Le Floréal's' commander
    The French warship 'Le Floréal' has patrolled the Gulf of Aden since December 2008 as part of an effort to combat potential pirate attacks on cargo ships. The ship's captain answered some of FRANCE 24 readers' questions.
  • PIRACY
    'I have been waiting for this capture for a long time'
    On January 27, the ‘Floréal’ captured nine pirates preparing to hijack a cargo vessel, the African Ruby. FRANCE 24 interviewed Sebastian D, the French Panther B 6452 helicopter pilot who led the arrest.
  • GULF OF ADEN
    Chasing pirates – send your questions
    FRANCE 24’s Marie-Sophie Joubert and Lucas Menget are spending a week on board the Floréal, a French frigate charged with escorting ships and chasing pirates in the Indian Ocean. Click on the "react" link to send send your questions.

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  • PIRACY
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  • SOMALIA
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  • SOMALIA
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  • PIRACY
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