Pirated vessel, MV Irene SL, seen South of Socotra Island, possibly conducting mothership operations
On March 13 at 1010 UTC, the pirated MV Irene SL, possibly acting as a mothership was reported in position 1015N 05339E on a Northeasterly heading at a speed of 15 knots. The vessel was reported 143nm South of Socotra Island, Yemen.
MV Irene SL was hijacked on February 9. The Greek-flagged and Panamanian-owned Very Large Crude Carrier was carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil, worth roughly $200 million, when she was captured in position 2127N 06318E, approximately 350NM Southeast of Muscat in the North Arabian Sea.
MV Irene SL, with a deadweight of 319,247 tonnes, was on passage to Suez heading for the U.S. Gulf
Coast, from Fujairah, when the attack occurred with the 25-crew comprised of 7 Greeks, 1 Georgian and 17 Filipinos.
The latest OCEANUSLive 'Horn of Africa Piracy Activity Update' can be seen here.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 sighting and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously. Additionally, registration of vessel movement with MSC(HOA)prior to transiting the region is recommended.
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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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