Global Piracy & Armed Robbery At Sea - April 2014
APRIL 2014 saw the majority of boarding incidents reported in SE Asia including two instances of hijack for the fuel cargo.
West Africa, whilst having the most severe piracy incident with shots fired resulting in two pirates and one crew member killed, the amount of reported incidents was relatively low in comparison.
In the Horn of Africa, myriad reports of approaches and suspicious activity were noted, but also unsubstantiated reports of attacks on fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean. The master of an Indian dhow revealed to an EU Boarding Team that 6 pirates had hijacked his vessel 2 weeks previous and had made them sail into the Gulf of Aden with the intention of acting as a mothership. The pirates fled when a patrol aircraft overflew the vessel.
Horn of Africa/Indian Ocean
April saw 17 incidents recorded in the region, although some reports remain unverified.
No confirmed hijack took place, however, fishing vessels were reportedly attacked in the Indian Ocean and 6 pirates on a dhow were said to have been disrupted by a counter piracy forces patrol aircraft flyover.
West Africa
Five incidents were reported this April. No hijackings occurred, however, an unprecedented boarding of a tanker by pirates resulted in the death of 2 pirates, 1 crew member and injury to another, discovered once the guards and crew left the citadel.
SE Asia
Asia had 16 incidents noted. Two hijacks occurred. Attacks/Boardings during STS ops happened in three instances. Majority of incidents were robberies or petty theft.
A ferry with over 300 passengers, many school children, sank off the South Korean coast. Evacuation was delayed by order of the stand-in Captain, it was alleged.
See the full list HERE.
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