News: Italian MV Hijacked in the Indian Ocean

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Italian MV SAVINA CAYLYN reported as hijacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean following sustained attack
In the early hours of 8 February, the Italian-flagged and -owned oil tanker, MV SAVINA CAYLYN, was reported hijacked in position 1210N 06600E, approximately 670NM East of Socotra Island in the Indian Ocean. Following a sustained attacked by pirates in a skiff with 5 persons onboard, the vessel was boarded. The pirates had fired small arms and 4 RPGs. Initial reports had stated that the tanker had evaded an attempted hijack but the Italian Coast Guard operations in Rome reported that the satellite alam system had been activated. Reportedly, during the sustained attack by the pirates, gunfire was exchange with the crew before they were finally boarded. The Italian authorities have set up a task force by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence to monitor the situation, furthermore, the Italian warship, ZEFFORO, is tasked to the area of the MV, but was over 500 miles away at the time.

MV SAVINA CAYLYN, with a deadweight of 104,255 tonnes, was on passage to Pasir Gudang in Malaysia, from Bashayer in Sudan, when the attack occurred. No communication with the vessel nor any information regarding the condition of the 22-crew comprised of 5 Italians and 17 Indians, has been received so far. MV SAVINA CAYLYN was registered with MSC(HOA) and had been reporting to UKMTO. EUNAVFOR state that they are monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, later in the morning, a vehicle carrier underway was attacked by pirates in position 1306N 06409E, approximately 560NM East of Socotra Island. The ship increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres and managed to evade the hijack attempt. The skiff was reported as moving back towards a mothership in the area.

Vessels are reminded that the coalition forces' warships may not be in the vicinity of a pirate attack, subsequently, it is emphasised that seafarers can greatly reduce their chances of being pirated if they follow precautions as recommended in the Best Management Practices, increasing speed and carrying out evasive manoeuvres is a proven deterrent to piracy attacks.

Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating in the vicinity of the reported position of the attack and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously. Additionally, registration of vessel movement with MSC(HOA) prior to transiting the region is recommended.



Any suspicious activity should be reported to UKMTO in Dubai in the first instance (UKMTO@eim.ae or Telephone+971 50 552 3215) and on entering the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) bound by Suez,78E and 10S.


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