I was suspecting HNLMS Tromp to see less pirates, after Operation Sweeping Broom -during which the Dutch actively hunted for pirates- ended. Guess I was wrong.
I guess these pirates never learn, because yesterday the Tromp was attacked 270 NM of the Somali coast. A German MPA -I guess one of the Orions that used to belong to the Dutch but were sold to Germany in 2004- had located pirates and the Tromp sailed towards them. When they were 8 NM from the pirates, 2 skiffs came at the ship at full speed, only to turn around when they realised it was a warship they were going after.
Warning shots from the ship and the Lynx helicopter kept the pirates from fleeing and 3 skiffs with 12 pirates were detained. After destroying 2 skiffs and disarming the pirates they were put back in a skiff and sent along to Somalia.
Later the same day the Tromp caught another 7 pirates in 2 skiffs. In a recurring theme, these have also been set free.
Today a Swedish MPA discovered pirates and the Tromp was send to intercept them. The crew caught 10 pirates with a mothership and 2 skiffs, which have both been distroyed along with all the fuel not necessary for the pirates to reach the Somali coast. So yes, that means they have indeed been let go - again.
Since February 17 HNLMS Tromp has disarmed 61 pirates.
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