The Greek-owned tanker Maran Centaurus is captured 800 NM east of Somalia with a load of oil worth $140 million. (Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)
Pirates armed with RPG and machine guns in two skiffs chased and fired upon a container ship underway with intent to hijack her. Master raised alarm, activated SSAS, increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. The pirates continued to chase and fire at the ship for around three hours before aborting. No injuries to crew.(ICC/IMB Website)
During his captivity, Blach boarded a second vessel, the cargo ship Ariana, to hand over supplies including medicines and fuel. Somali pirates have been holding the Ariana with its Ukrainian crew for around half a year. On board the ship, Blach saw the blue-eyed Ukrainian girl with her mother and her father, who was a member of the ship's crew. "Her mother begged me to take (her daughter) with me," Blach wrote in his logbook. "I told her that I couldn't. On her ship, the Ariana, there were 12 pirates. On mine, the Alakrana, 30," he said, adding: "I have not stopped thinking about this girl, about the women in this boat."(AFP, 11/22/09)
One of the abducted women, Larisa Salinska, 39 years old ship's cook, was raped by pirates. Then she had a miscarriage (it is unknown if she became pregnant as a result of the rape or not) with a large hemorrhage, heavy infection, and serious health problems. The Alakrana’s skipper tried to convey to the Ariana medicines to help Salinska, but Adan Jama, one of the pirates who had hijacked the Spanish ship, threw overboard those medicines. Also, according to the testimony ... the girl wich twelve years old was raped by a pirate...(Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)
They fired at the vessel with machine guns and RPG and attempted to board her. Master raised alarm, increased speed made aggressive evasive manoeuvres, crew activated anti-piracy measures and finally managed to evade the attempted boarding. Ship’s bridge glasses damaged and sustained bullet holes around accommodation. No injuries to crew members.(ICC/IMB Website)
Six pirate boats with a mother vessel in sight chased and opened fire upon an oil tanker underway. Two RPGs penetrated into port bridge door. Ships sustained damages and one crew was injured. Pirates aborted the attempt after about three hours of chasing.(ICC/IMB Website)
Pirates armed with guns in a boat chased and attempted to board ... Master raised alarm, called warships for assistance, took evasive manoeuvres and crew mustered. The pirates directed searchlight at the ship and suddenly opened fire and ordered the ship to stop ... to conduct search. Master replied, “cannot stop” and continued with the evasive manoeuvres. The pirates finally gave up the chase after 40 minutes. No injuries to crew.(ICC/IMB Website)
Pirates armed with guns chased and fired upon a container ship underway with intent to hijack. Crew took all anti-piracy measures and the onboard security team returned fire. The pirates finally aborted and moved away.(ICC/IMB Website)
Following a request by the Spanish government, Port Victoria has offered safe harbor to the released vessel. The release of the vessel marks the end of protracted negotiations led by the Spanish government in coordination with other partners for the release of the vessel and its crew.(African Press Office, 11/18/09)
Pirates armed with guns in two speed boats chased and fired upon a general cargo ship underway. Ship raised alarm, contacted warships, increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres and finally managed to evade the attempted boarding. No injuries to crew.(ICC/IMB Website)
The container ship Nele Maersk is fired upon in the Indian Ocean by men giving chase in two skiffs armed with rifles and rocket propelled grenades. "The vessel increased speed, conducted evasive maneuvers, and successfully deterred the attack after 30 minutes. Coalition forces were informed." The incident occurred "approximately 455NM northeast of Port Victoria, Seychelles." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)
The container ship Felicitas Rickmers is fired upon by two skiffs in the Indian Ocean "approximately 500NM southeast of Kismayo, Somalia. The vessel reported being under attack by two skiffs. Shots were fired, but no damage was reported. The vessel conducted evasive maneuvers and prevented being boarded." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09) Felicitas Rickmers is 206 m long and registered in the Marshall Islands. (vesseltracker.com)
The tanker BW Lion is fired upon by men in two skiffs firing rifles and rocket propelled grenades. "The master increased speed, conducted evasive maneuvers, deployed self protection measures, and successfully deterred the attack after one hour. Coalition forces were informed. The vessel sustained minor damages." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)
The Liberian cargo ship BBC Thames is attacked in the Indian Ocean. EU NAVFOR German warship (FGS BREMEN) was immediately tasked to support the cargo ship and the BREMEN’s helicopter was launched. The attackers fled but BREMEN found a skiff in the vicinity and on sighting the helicopter the skiff stopped. FGS BREMEN conducted a boarding where weapons, ammunition and RPG grenades were found and seized EU NAVFOR German warship (FGS BREMEN) was immediately tasked to support the cargo ship and the BREMEN’s helicopter was launched. The attackers fled but BREMEN found a skiff in the vicinity and on sighting the helicopter the skiff stopped. FGS BREMEN conducted a boarding where weapons, ammunition and RPG grenades were found and seized.(ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)
The chemical tanker Jo Cedar, sailing the Indian Ocean, is fired upon by armed men in a skiff while men in two additional skiffs stand by. Jo Cedar "increased speed and conducted evasive maneuvers until the skiff abandoned the attack. The ship sustained bullet holes, but no crewmembers were reported injured." The attack occurred 530NM southeast of Mombasa. (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)