30 November 2009

Incident: Maran Centaurus taken

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)

It was en route from Saudi Arabia to the USA and taken by a party of nine men. "The 28 crewmen are safe and well according to a spokesman from the Greek managing company, Maran Tankers Management." (The Times, 12/01/09)

Incident: Ortube Berria chased, fights back

The Spanish fishing ship Ortube Berria is chased for half an hour in the Indian Ocean by pirates in two skiffs armed with rifles and rocket propelled grenades. "They would not give up. They simply would not give up," the captain said. "If we had not been armed, they would have caught us." Security guards fired upon the pirates, causing them to break off the attack. (AP, 12/02/09)

26 November 2009

Incident: Container ship fired upon

A container ship, not otherwise identified, is fired upon in the Indian Ocean about 470 NM off Mogadishu.
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)

24 November 2009

Incident: Crude tanker fired upon

A crude tanker, not otherwise identified, is fired upon in the Indian Ocean about 100 NM east of Mogadishu. "Four pirates in a skiff fired upon and attempted to board a tanker underway. Ship sustained damages on stbd side of wheelhouse window. Pirates aborted the attempt after about 35 minutes of chasing. No injuries to crew." (ICC/IMB Website)

22 November 2009

Incident: Horrors on Ariana reported

The captain of the Spanish trawler Alakrana, Ricardo Blach, released 11/17/09 by pirates, "said he is haunted by his failure to save a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl held captive for more than six months."
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)

In a compilation of Spanish press reports, Wikipedia adds the following details:
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)

20 November 2009

Incident: Almezaan released

The Panama-flagged cargo ship Al Mezaan, taken 11/11, is released by Somali pirates. "It was claimed that it was carrying weapons but this was denied by her owners. A $3,000,000 dollar ransom was demanded, but a lower amount was paid." (Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)

Incident: Bulk carrier fired upon

A bulk carrier, not otherwise identified, is fired upon in the Indian Ocean by "Eight pirates in one craft and four pirates in another craft, armed with machine guns and RPG."
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)

Incident: Crude tanker fired upon

A crude tanker, not otherwise identified, is chased and fired upon in the Indian Ocean about 1050 NM from Mogadishu.
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)

19 November 2009

Incident: Bulk carrier fired upon

A bulk carrier, not otherwise identified, is fired upon in the Gulf of Aden.
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)

18 November 2009

Incident: Hijacked captain dies

The captain of the Theresa VIII, hijacked 11/05/09, has died of wounds suffered during the hijacking, pirates have told Reuters. "The ship is headed for Harardhere with the dead captain," the source said. No details. (BBC, 11/18/09)

Incident: Maersk Alabama attacked again

A container ship, not otherwise identified, is fired upon while sailing 600 NM NE of Mogadishu in the Indian Ocean.
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)

This appears to be the Maersk Alabama, which was hijacked in April. (BBC, 11/18/09)

17 November 2009

Incident: Red Sea Spirit attacked

The Greek owned, Panamanian flagged bulk carrier Red Sea Spirit is taken 36 NM off Balhaf, Yemen. (Reuters, 11/22/09)

"Pirates did not hijack Panama-flagged vessel Red Sea Spirit belonging to Greek company Secure Hold, said Sunday representative of Greek Coast Guard to RIA Novosti." (rusnavy.com, 11/23/09)

Wikipedia shows the ship taken on 11/17/09.

Incident: Alakrana released

The Spanish trawler Alakrana is released.
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)

Linked to the negotiations were the fate of two pirates captured and taken to Spain after the incident. Pirates holding Alakrana demanded $4 million and the release of their comrades. The Alakrana crew was released without the pirates being freed. Spanish papers report that pirate families were given $50,000. (Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)

Pirates told reporters $3.5 million was paid. (Reuters via Barcelonareporter.com, undated)

16 November 2009

Incident: Chemical tanker taken

A chemical tanker, not otherwise identified, is hijacked in the Indian Ocean by "pirates armed with machineguns." The captured cre number 28. the strike occured 600 NM southeast of Mogadishu. (ICC/IMB Website)

Incident: General cargo ship fired upon

A general cargo ship, not otherwise identified, is fired upon in the Gulf of Aden.
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)

13 November 2009

Incident: RoRo chased

A RoRo vessel, not otherwise identified, is chased in the Indian Ocean about 810 NM south of Mogadishu. "Pirates in two small boats armed with guns chased a Ro-Ro ship underway with intent to hijack her. Ship raised alarm, informed flag state authorities who informed the coalition forces." The target vessel evaded boarding via increased speed and evasive action. (ICC/IMB Website)

12 November 2009

Incident: Bulk carrier fired upon

A bulk carrier, not otherwise identified, is fired upon in the Gulf of Aden. Firing with assault rifles preceded a boarding attempt. The intended victim escaped pursuit through evasive action. (ICC/IMB Website)

11 November 2009

Incident: Almezaan taken

The Panama flagged cargo ship Almezaan is taken off the Somali coast. No details. (Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)

Incident: Filitsa taken

The bulk carrier Filitsa is taken in the Indian Ocean "approximately 500NM northeast of Port Victoria, Seychelles. According to the owners, pirates boarded the vessel and all communication with the crew has ceased. There are 22 crewmembers onboard of Greek and Filipino nationality." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)The 150 m long ship is registered in the Marshall Islands. (vesseltracker.com)

10 November 2009

Incident: Nele Maersk fired upon

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)

he Nele Maersk is of Danish registry and is 199 m in length. (vesseltracker.com)

Incident: Felicitas Rickmers fired upon

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)

09 November 2009

Incident: BW Lion fired upon

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)

BW Lion is registered in Hong Kong. (vesseltracker.com)

07 November 2009

Incident: Cargo ship attacked

Sailing in the Gulf of Aden, a general cargo ship, not otherwise identified, is fired upon by six men in a skiff armed with rifles and rocket propelled grenades. "The men attempted to board the vessel using a ladder but were unable to due to the vessel’s freeboard and effective counter-measure taken by the crew." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)

05 November 2009

Incident: Theresa VIII taken

The Singapore-flagged chem tanker Theresa VIII is taken "180 nautical miles northwest of the Seychelles, on its way to Mombasa, Kenya. The crew of the vessel was comprised entirely of North Koreans." (Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)

The ship is 56 meters long and flies under Kiribati's colors. (vesseltracker.com)

Incident: Delvina taken

The bulk carrier Delvina is hijacked in the Indian Ocean "approximately 690NM south of Mogadishu, Somalia. The owners reported the vessel came under attack and was boarded by pirates." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)

The 190 m long ship is registered in the Marshall Islands (vesseltracker.com)

The Greek-owned ship was en route to Mombasa. (Wikipedia, "List of ships attacked by Somali pirates," 12/31/09)

Incident: Cargo ship attacked

A general cargo ship sailing the Gulf of Aden (not otherwise identified) is pursued by a speedboat with four armed men aboard who try to board the target vessel. "The men in the speedboat eventually aborted the pursuit due to effective counter-piracy measures." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)

Incident: BBC Thames attacked

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)

Incident: Theoforus I attacked

The Panamanian flagged bulk carrier Theoforus I is attacked in the Indian Ocean. Pirates armed with rifles and rocket propelled grenades pursue the sip, which evaded the pirates until TCG Ediz arrived, a Turkish warship under NATO command. "The warship neutralized a suspected skiff in the vicinity of the attack position and weapons and pirate paraphernalia were seized." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09)

02 November 2009

Incident: Harriette fired upon

The bulk carrier Harriette is fired upon by twelve armed men in two skiffs giving chase in the Indian Ocean 270 NM off Kismayo. "The men were unable to hook their ladder onto the vessel’s side. The master increased speed and carried out evasive maneuvers while activating fire hoses. After approximately 20 minutes the men abandoned the attempt. The vessel sustained bullet holes but no crewmembers were injured." (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 11/11/09) Harriette is 173 m long and registered in the USA. (vesseltracker.com)

Incident: Jo Cedar fired upon

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)

Jo Cedar is 183 m long and registered in the Netherlands. (vesseltracker.com)