Incident: Boarding attempted

A vessel (not otherwise identified) is subjected to a boarding attempt in the Indian Ocean starting at 0930 hours local time.

Eight pirates in two speed boats armed with automatic weapons approached the vessel with a speed of 23 knots. A third boat was observed further back and assessed as being a mother ship. The captain increased speed and alerted the crew. The two speed boats arrived approximately 10 meters off the stern and attempted to get alongside the vessel several times in an attempt to board the vessel by using a portable ladder. The vessel conducted evasive maneuvers for 20 minutes before the pirates abandoned their pursuit

The attempt was made 155NM NW of Port Victoria, the Seychelles. (ONI Worldwide Threat to Shipping, 5/27/09)