People and Politics # Tough Mission -- Hunting for Pirates in the Gulf of Aden # 20.03.2009

Frigates from the EU operation Atalanta have been patrolling the waters in the Gulf of Aden for some two months. Led by the Greek frigate "Psara" they're there to prevent other vessels being attacked by pirates. Last year alone there were more than 100 such attacks. The German officers aboard the Psara face a daunting task. Its difficult to co-ordinate activities with other international frigates in the area from the United States and Russia. In addition, the pirates use speedboats which are difficult to pick up on radar screens and they don't seem to be at all intimidated by the frigates' presence.