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Navy deploys patrol vessel off Seychelles on anti-piracy duty

Kochi: The Indian Navy has deployed INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel with a Chetak helicopter and Marine Commandos, for surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Seychelles and Mauritius from end-November till early January next.

The ship will operate in close coordination with ships and aircraft of the Seychelles Coast Guard and the Mauritian National Coast Guard to deter pirates operating in these areas, said a defence spokesperson.

Over the past few years, incidence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden has increased considerably.

More than 174 piracy attempts involving ships of various nationalities have taken place in the past year in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.

To thwart piracy attempts in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Navy has continuously deployed a warship there since October 23, 2008 and has won accolades for its counter-piracy efforts on many occasions.

“As a result of the effectiveness of warship patrols and escorts in the Gulf of Aden, pirates have shifted their attention to the east of Somalia, also referred to as the Somalia Basin, and to the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Seychelles and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Some of these attacks have taken place nearly 1,900 kms from the Somali Coast, making these waters dangerous for all seafarers, thereby seriously affecting the safety of international trade and commerce transiting through these waters,” the defemce spokseman said.

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