- Join the France 24 community here
- Log in
Latest update: 04/03/2009
- French military - Navy - Piracy (maritime) - Somalia
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.
FRANCE 24’s Marie-Sophie Joubert and Lucas Menget are joining the 93 crew members of the Floréal, a French frigate, on a mission off the coast of Somalia in eastern Africa.
|
The Floréal is escorting the Victoria V5, a cargo boat carrying desperately-needed food to war-torn Somalia. The Victoria, chartered by the World Food Programme, is transporting food from the Kenyan port of Mombasa up the coast to the Somali capital Mogadishu. The Victoria will be the first WFP ship to make the trip this month.
The Floréal is a 94-metre frigate operating under EU’s Atalante antipiracy mission. The warship’s mission is to protect the Victoria from attack by pirates, and to respond to any attacks reported in the area. The frigate is equipped with cannons and Exocet missiles, a Hurricane speedboat, and a Panther helicopter for reconnaissance.
|
Check back after March 9 for a full multimedia report.
Do you have questions about fighting piracy? Who are the pirates and what can be done to stop them? Are international forces cooperating
If you have questions for the crew of the Floréal, send them in by clicking "react".
Related Content
‘Darth Vader’ demands free land from Ukrainian government
Browse all editions
FRANCE 24 PARTNERS
Comments (5)
Pirates
Of course we have to restore order in these waters. But just killing them!? Do not forget these are people with hungry families at home. They are not terrorists they are desperate and they have nothing to loose. Killing them will drive them directly in the hands of real terrorists Al-Qaida stile.
Pirates
We are at war with terrorists and this pirate activity is an act of terrorism. Please, do us all a favor and simply blow these guys out of the water at every opportunity. The only thing that will work with this mentality is deadly force.
Pirates
Please tell us where the pirates are from and what nationality they are.
Pirates
As an ex seafarer, I can confirm that mariners do not need waterbourne thieves anywhere afloat. Just blow them out of the water and the problem is solved.
French Pirate Hunters
I would be suprised if the French didn't bend over and surrender to the pirates. They could scuttle their boat to avoid a possible conflict and just surrender.