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)