Minelayer Pohjanmaa back in Finland

Release of suspected pirates a “disappointment” for the crew

print this

The minelayer Pohjanmaa, the flagship of the Finnish Navy, returned to its home port of Upinniemi on Monday after a four-month peacekeeping mission off the coast of Somalia protecting aid deliveries against rampant piracy in the area.
      Happy to be back, the crew felt that their mission had been a success, but the ship’s commander Mika Raunu said that it was disappointing that a group of suspected pirates that they had arrested were released in April without a trial.
      All in all, Raunu said that the mission had been a resounding success, and that the Finnish vessel had won praise from the command ships of the operation.
     
During most of the mission the Pohjanmaa protected maritime traffic in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, and helped secure aid deliveries to Somalia.
      The total distance sailed during the mission exceeded that of a round-the-world voyage. The vessel managed to complete the mission without any serious technical malfunctions, which was seen as an achievement in itself.
     
During its peacekeeping mission the Pohjanmaa had a crew of 90, about half of whom were Naval staff personnel, and half were reservists.
     


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Minelayer Pohjanmaa is on her way home from Africa after Atalanta mission (2.5.2011)
  Minelayer Pohjanmaa scuttles suspected pirates´ vessel (11.4.2011)
  Threat of death penalty is keeping suspected pirates on board Pohjanmaa (8.4.2011)
  Pohjanmaa continues homeward journey (19.5.2011)

Links:
  Suspected pirates detained on Finnish ship have been released (21.4.2011)

Helsingin Sanomat