It must have been quite hard to swallow. After combating piracy off the Somali coast for four months, the Dutch navy vessel HNLMS Amsterdam had just passed the Straits of Gibraltar when a request came from the French to head for Ivory Coast. The crew were expecting to spend Christmas at home with their families.

The West African country has been volatile since the elections at the end of November to such an extent that the Dutch combat supply ship has been asked to take provisions to French ships and troops in the region. The ship may even have to evacuate EU civilians. Now the vessel is not expected to be back in its home port until mid-January.

On Wednesday HNLMS Amsterdam was moored in the Spanish port of Malaga to take on supplies and spare parts. Then the ship had to about turn and set out on its voyage of some 3,000 nautical miles to Ivory Coast. Another stop will be made in Dakar, Senegal, to collect oil. The Dutch defence ministry says dozens of French troops will also embark there. (report continues below)

• Listen: Lieutenant Commander Gerrit Nijenhuis of HNLMS Amsterdam speaking to RNW

Violence
The commander of the Amsterdam expects to reach Ivory Coast around 2 January. “Our job will be mainly to support the French in their role protecting EU citizens in Ivory Coast. The operation is under French control. Its objective is to make sure people can be moved if necessary. We will help the French with their logistics, provide them with fuel for ships, helicopters, emergency supplies, medicines and ammunition.”

If the violence gets worse and European citizens have to be evacuated, HNLMS Amsterdam may play a role. Commander Nijenhuis, “The ship is equipped with a helicopter and three fast boats and we have more than enough room and facilities to take people on board.”

Disappointment
The Dutch combat supply ship is only supposed to remain off the coast of Ivory Coast for a week. A French supply ship which had been heading for the African country had to return to port in France after a malfunction was discovered.

The crew of the Amsterdam were disappointed when they heard about the change of plan. “Something like this gets to the crew,” says Commander Nijenhuis, “but as professionals, you have to get over it. Once they had spoken to the home front, everyone was willing to get down to work again. We’re going to go out there and do our best.”