MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax-AVN) - The Severomorsk large anti-sub ship of the Russian North Fleet returned to base on Sunday upon the successful anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa.
"The voyage lasted for slightly less than six months, since May 8. The ship covered a distance of more than 30,000 nautical miles, visited ports of Portugal, Greece, Djibouti, Syria and Spain and accompanied 11 caravans of Russian and foreign ships. In all, it led 41 vessels through the pirate-infested waters," North Fleet commander press secretary Capt. 1st Class Vadim Serga told Interfax-AVN on Monday.
The ship command maintained close contact with the NATO Navy holding an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden. This cooperation helped the Severomorsk prevent the seizure of the Greek tanker United Emblem, which was attacked by sea pirates in the Red Sea, 45 miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, Serga said.
North Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Vladimir Korolev congratulated the Severomorsk crew on the successful mission. "The Severomorsk confirmed once again that the Russian Navy is effectively combating international terrorism in the World Ocean," he said.