30 April 2012 (ERR)

An Estonian naval protection team returned home on April 29 after completing a six-month mission as part of the EU’s Atalanta anti-piracy operation near Somalia.

The 10-member team served on two French naval frigates - the Florea and the Acon - both operating on the Gulf of Aden. The crew's main task was to escort UN freighters transporting humanitarian aid to Somalia and conduct check-ups on vessels suspected of piracy, the Defense Forces said in a statement.

During its tour, the team also helped train Ugandan and Burundian ship crews in the theoretical and practical aspects of safeguarding cargo ships and neutralizing pirates. 

So far, three Estonian anti-piracy task forces have participated in the Atalanta operation. A fourth is scheduled to embark in July.