Pirate Action Group foiled yet again in attack on a vessel in the Somali Basin but crewmembers are injured
On March 21 at 0846 UTC, a tanker, believed to be Liberian-flagged MT Al Nouf, was reported coming under attack by a pirate action group (PAG) consisting of 1 mothership and 2 skiffs in position 03494N 05333E, approximately 505nm East Northeast of Mogadishu, Somalia. The position in the Somali Basin is close to 285nm from the nearest point of land in Somalia. The PAG, with 4 pirates on 1 skiff and 10 pirates on another, are reported to have fired upon the vessel using small arms and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs). The Master ordered an increase in speed, evasive manoeuvres and activated SSAS. The Master, 2 crew and unarmed security team remained on the bridge during the attack whilst the remainder of the crew moved to the safe room. The armed attack saw two of the crew sustain injuries, and one is believed to have been seriously wounded (head wound). Although the vessel successfully evaded the hijack attempt it suffered from damage caused by the pirates weapons (IMB Report). A later report stated that the vessel escaped the pirate attack after the South African security team, who were armed, responded to the attack by firing weapons whilst the crew moved to the safe room, and the Master remained on the bridge. The 23 crew consisted of 14 Filipinos, 3 Sri Lankans, 5 Indians, 1 Pakistani and 1 Ethiopian. Three crew were reported as suffering injuries (SomaliaReport).
Pirate Action Group attacks most recently have concentrated on the Northern Arabian Sea where the pirated MV Sinar Kudus has tracked North then South. The tanker, MV Irene SL, also suspected of conducting mothership operations has tracked West Southwest back towards the Somali Basin. It has not been connected with the attack in this report. There is a likelihood that the pirated MV Polar is nearer to the vicinity of this attack, however, this has not been confirmed.
PAGs have been in operation in the areas for some time and, wherever possible, are reported here to ensure that seafarers may increase the situational awareness through information dissemination. The latest OCEANUS
Live '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 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.
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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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