A European Union naval vessel rescued an Iranian fishing dhow, a type of Arab lateen-rigged boat, that was being used by Somali pirates as a "mothership" for attacks on other boats according to the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR). EU NAVFOR said its frigate HNLMS Van Amstel rescued the dhow and its crew of 17 Iranians off the coast of Somalia from eleven suspected pirates who were on board.