Incident: Attack on bulk carrier thwarted

A bulk carrier in the Gulf of Aden, not otherwise identified, is chased by armed men. The carrier, adopting evasive action, notifies Coalition forces, which send a helicopter to drive off the pursuers. (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 9/30/09)

Incident: Bulk carrier fired upon

A bulk carrier, not otherwise identified, was fired upon in the Gulf of Aden by four armed men giving chase. "The vessel master increased speed, conducted evasive maneuvers and alerted coalition forces. The armed men fled the area upon the arrival of a coalition warship." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 9/30/09)

Incident: Bulk carrier fired upon

A bulk carrier, not otherwise identified, is fired upon by eight men in two fast craft in the Gulf of Aden displaying intention to board.

The master raised the alarm, conducted evasive maneuvers, fired parachute flares, activated the SSAS and contacted coalition warships on VHF radio seeking assistance. Sea water was run on deck and the crew locked themselves in the bridge. The armed men began firing at the bridge before aborting the attempt when a coalition warship arrived on scene. A coalition helicopter surveyed the bulk carrier to assure no pirates were on board before the vessel resumed course

. (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 9/30/09)

Incident: Captain killed by gunfire

The captain of the Barwaqo is killed near the port of Mogadishu. "According to local authorities, armed gangs attacked the vessel as it was heading into port. Local police were called in and an exchange in gunfire occurred in which the vessel’s captain was killed. Police were able to thwart the attackers and the vessel was towed into port." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 10/21/09)

Incident: Armed guards fire upon pirates

A general cargo vessel, not otherwise identified, is approached in the Gulf of Aden by seven armed men in a skiff.

Ship activated anti piracy measures, armed guards onboard exchanged fire with the pirates. The pirates aborted the attempt were seen heading towards the Yemeni coast. All ships in the vicinity and coalition warship were informed via VHF radio.

(ICC/IMB Website)

Incident: BBC Portugal rescued by Australians

An Australian warship intercepts a Somali pirate craft "stalking" the BBC Portugal in the Gulf of Aden.

Commander Ivan Ingham said officers from his ship (HMAS TOOWOOMBA) boarded the pirate ship after responding to a distress call in the Gulf on Sunday night. A surveillance plane and helicopter sent ahead of the (TOOWOOMBA) confirmed reports from the merchant ship (BBC PORTUGAL) that it was being chased by a high-speed vessel full of armed men, he said. "On reaching the suspect vessel, Toowoomba launched her boarding team to investigate, search, disarm and seize," Ingham said. "The boarding party was instructed to disarm the suspect pirates and confiscate their lethal military weapons." A rocket-propelled grenade launcher, six AK47 assault rifles and a G3 assault rifle were taken, as well as a large quantity of ammunition. The men said they were from Somalia but denied planning to attack the (BBC PORTUGAL), despite being seen disposing of a ladder as the helicopter and plane approached, Ingham said. Once the pirate ship had been cleared of weapons he said the (TOOWOOMBA) confirmed it had sufficient food, water and fuel for the return journey to Somalia and ordered them out of the shipping zone. It was the ship's first such encounter since arriving in the Gulf of Aden from the Northern Arabian Sea on a counter-piracy mission two weeks ago, he added.

(ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 9/30/09)

Incident: Bulk carrier fired upon

A bulk carrier, not otherwise identified, is fired upon in the Gulf of Aden by seven men in a white skiff who attempted to board but were deterred by evasive action. A coalition helicopter's arrival caused the attackers to break off. (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 9/30/09)

Six pirates "armed with guns"

in a small white coloured speedboat, attempted to attack a bulk carrier underway in a convoy with two other ships. Master altered course, contacted coalition warships for assistance and crew activated anti-piracy measures. Pirates chased the ship for 20 minutes and aborted the attempt upon arrival of a coalition helicopter.

(ICC/IMB Website)

Incident: Container vessel evades boarding

A container vessel operating in the Gulf of Aden but not otherwise identified is approached by men "in a small boat" to a distance of five meters. "Alarm raised and crew alerted. Pirates aborted the attempt..." (ICC/IMB Website)

Incident: Crude tanker chased

A crude tanker operating in the Red Sea (not otherwise identified) is chased by two high speed craft. "The tanker altered course to keep the boats in the wake. Later the boats aborted the attempt." (ICC/IMB Website)

Incident: Irene released

The cargo ship Irene, captured on 9/14/09, is released after payment of a reported $2 million ransom. (Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)

Incident: Warning issued to mariners

With the end of the monsoon season, the the US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration has warned of an increase in Somali piracy.

“We must apply the lessons learned from the crew of the Maersk Alabama,” said Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda, referring to the U.S. crew that escaped pirates last spring. “We are urging mariners to take defensive measures and not surrender at the first sign of a threat.” The advisory not only warns vessels to avoid routes where attacks have taken place, but also recommends that mariners “demonstrate a willingness to defend yourself.” Today’s update encourages mariners to travel at “maximum sustainable speed” through “high threat areas” and to continually conduct risk assessments during their voyage. The advisory also gives mariners information on how best to check in with authorities and how to request escort service in a convoy.

(ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 8/19/09)

Incident: Swiss to battle Somali piracy

The Swiss Senate has approved plans to send an anti-piracy force of about 30 specialists ("including special troops, medical personnel and experts on international law") "to protect ships transporting supplies of the UN World Food Programme to developing countries" off Somalia. They will join EU forces in the Gulf of Aden. (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 9/9/09)

Incident: Cargo ship crew battles pirates

A general cargo ship, not otherwise identified, is attacked in port by armed men.

Ten heavily armed robbers in two speedboats opened fire at a general cargo ship carrying out repairs to her engines at anchorage. Crew threw molotov cocktails and signal rockets at the speedboats. One crew injured. Vessel sustained damages.

(ICC/IMB Website)