Two merchant vessels evade pirate attacks in the Somali Basin in 24-hour period. Whilst MV Eagle is rumoured to be released, ashore, 18 suspected pirates are detained in Bosaso.A Pirate Action Group consisting of a mothership and 2 skiffs was observed operating in the Somali Basin east of Mombasa, Kenya. Likely to have carried out two attacks, approximately 97nm apart, over the last 24-hour period.
April 23 at 1200 UTC, in position 0251S – 04840E, in the Somali Basin, approximately 548nm east by north-east of Mombasa, 2 pirate skiffs attacked a merchant ship. Although no further details were available at the time of the report, it is believed the vessel evaded the hijack attempt.
April 24 at 0300 UTC, in position 0411S - 04745N, again in the Somali Basin approximately 485nm east by south-east of Mombasa, 2 pirate skiffs (painted silver) attacked a chemical tanker. A mothership dhow was sighted in the vicinity as the skiffs, one with 5 pirates onboard, the other difficult to determine how many were onboard due to the skiff approaching with the sun directly behind, fired weapons at the vessel. The Master raised the alarm and all, except 3 duty crew on the bridge, mustered in the citadel. At a distance of 0.5nm, the embarked security team fired 4 warning shots at the skiffs, which continued to fire at the vessel prior to aborting the attack. The vessel, crew and security team are reported to be safe. The PAG was last seen in position 0412.7S - 04743.27E.
MV Eagle Rumoured Released
On April 23, the Cypriot-flagged bulk carrier, MV Eagle, was said to be steaming out to safe waters after being released by pirates with maritime sources stating that a ransom of US$4 to 6 million was paid for the release of the ship and her 24 Filipino crew members. The 52,163 tonne Greek-owned bulk carrier was attacked and hijacked by armed pirates on January 17, around 420nm east of Socotra Island, Yemen, while travelling from Jordan to India. Six pirates in a skiff, armed with guns and rocket-propelled grenades, chased down and boarded the vessel. However, the shipowner has since stated that this is incorrect and that MV Eagle remains in pirate hands.
Pirates Reported Captured
In a separate land-based event, 18 suspected pirates were reported to have been detained on Thursday, April 21 and taken to the central jail of Bosaso on Saturday, April 23. The pirates were captured by the security forces of the Sanag region in Lasqorey District, 90km of southwest of Bosaso, according to police officials. The pirates claimed they were arrested by a foreign navy off Qoricad, a coastal village. The pirates stated that the Belgian Navy arrested and held them for 10 days on board the vessel in the Gulf of Aden. The suspect pirates were handed over to the Puntland Security officials in Sanag Region and denied the navy had captured the pirates. The pirates were handed over to Bosaso as there was insufficient room in the local prison.
Local residents in the district, last week, said that another foreign navy had handed over 7 pirates, who claimed they had been tortured, three of whom were naked, although this claim has not been verified. Sanag is a part of the disputed region between Puntland Administration and the self-declared autonomous state of Somaliland. The region was strategic to the Red Sea for pirates, and between 2006-2009, areas off Lasqorey district held the most hijacked ships and hostages. The local community were said to have had enough and began to protest against the pirates, forcing them to leave the district in late 2009. See Somalia Report for further details.
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 it they follow precautions as recommended in the Best Management Practices, increasing speed and carrying out evasive manoeuvres is a proven deterrent to piracy attacks. The use of a CITADEL DOES NOT guarantee a military response. Before owners, operators and masters commit to a policy that recommends the use of a citadel, it is important to understand the criteria that military forces will apply before a boarding to free the ship can be considered.
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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