Depending on the 'maritime source' of information, the last week saw the release of MV Eagle, only for this to be denied by the shipowners. The vessel actually released was MV Renaur, which has similarities with Eagle. The Asphalt Venture reached the safety of Mombasa port after being towed from Haradhere in Somalia, controversially, having left behind 7 Indian crewmembers. Meanwhile in India, thousands of seafarers took part in marches in 8 cities across the country in protest at the growing incidences of piracy in the Indian Ocean. Once more the island of the Seychelles is at the forefront of counter piracy efforts. The rescue of 4 fishermen and the arrest of 7 pirates (with 1 dead) demonstrates their commitment to combating the threat whenever it occurs. A second case of a Somali man being arrested, at Washington DC Dulles airport by US authorities, in connection with piracy charges. A hijack that seemed to have escaped attention saw a Yemeni fishing vessel with 6 crew taken hostage 25nm from Socotra Island. However, 3 of the crew were released by the pirates and sent to Yemen with another vessel. 3 others remain hostage.
The Cyprus-flagged, Greek-owned, 52,000dwt bulk carrier, MV Eagle (left), with a crew of 24 Filipinos, was reported to be on its way to safe waters following release by pirates. This proved incorrect and is believed to have been confused with the release of the similar sized and crewed bulk carrier, MV Renaur, which was released April 23. The Eagle and crew remain held by Somali pirates.
The Liberian-owned and Panama-flagged, MV Renaur, with a crew of 24, all Filipinos, was released after 133 days in pirate hands. Hijacked December 11, 2010, 550nm off the west coast of India, whilst on the way to Fujairah in UAE, the vessel was reportedly released following a ransom payment of $6 million and is now en route to safety, albeit with engine problems.
The Panama-flagged Asphalt Venture made port in Mombasa April 28, following release 18 days ago, with only 8 of the original 15 crew onboard. The vessel was towed by tug from Haradhere on the Somali coast following its release for a ransom payment of $3.5 million. The fact that 7 of the crew remain as hostages as the pirates failed to honour the agreement for release. In terms of conducting negotiations with pirates, this is a fundamental departure from previous practice, and may have far-reaching consequences on future deals. Undoubtedly, shipowners and insurance are already reviewing the potential impact on any future negotiations. See Somalia Report.
More than two thousand Indian seafarers, shipowners and ship managers participated in a march in Mumbai, India, to protest the concern over the increase of piracy in the Indian Ocean. Other protest marches were carried in seven other cities across India with a petition handed in. The Secretary General of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), Abdulgani Serang said “Shipowners and seafarers have been left to fend for themselves without any worldwide government support. It is the responsibility of every sovereign state to provide a safe and secure environment to the seafarers who are discharging their professional duties in the high seas,” and referred to the case of the Asphalt Venture Thaindian News.
Another Somali 'Negotiator' Arrested
A second Somali man has been arrested by US authorities in connection with the ransom negotiations in 2008 for the Danish-owned vessel CEC Future, which was freed after a $1.7 million ransom was paid. He was arrested at Washington DC Dulles airport and is to be charged with conspiracy to commit piracy. Ali Mohamed Ali, believed to be from Somaliland, the self-declared independent region of Somalia, if convicted of the charges in Federal court next Tuesday, including piracy under the laws of nations and attack to plunder a vessel, could face a life sentence.
Revised AIS Recommendation
The NEW recommendation from EU NAVFOR and NATO is to leave AIS transmitting across the entire High Risk Area as set out in BMP3. AIS transmission should continue to be restricted to ship’s identity, position, course, speed, navigational status and safety-related information. As noted, this is a change to the previous guidance which recommended that AIS be left on only in the Gulf of Aden. The decision on AIS policy remains at the discretion of the Master, however, if it is switched off during transit, it should be activated immediately at the time of an attack.
Another tale of pirates hijacking a vessel came on April 19, and has only recently been made known. Around 1nm off Denis Island, Seychelles, seven pirates armed with AK47 and RPG boarded a fishing vessel conducting fishing activities. The crew immediately sent a distress alert message, which was received by the Seychelles coast guard. The pirates took four crewmembers hostage and threatened to kill them if they refused the order to steer the vessel towards Somalia. On April 20, the Seychelles coast guard launched an operation which resulted in the rescue of the four fishermen and the capture of the seven pirates. During the operation one crew member was slightly injured. Three pirates were injured, of which one died IMB Report.
A pirate attack which resulted in the hijack of a Yemeni fishing vessel occurred April 16. The pirates hijacked the vessel with 6 crew 25nm south of Socotra Island. Puzzlingly, it was reported that they released 3 of the crew along with another Yemeni vessel which was allowed to head for Yemen. However, the pirates now hold the 3 remaining crew as hostages along with the fishing vessel. No information concerning any ransom demand has been forthcoming to date ;IMB Report.
The piracy events in the Horn of Africa region over the last week are;
Hijack:
- No hijacks were successful over the last week. Two belated reports of hijack occurred April 16 and 19.
7 Unsuccessful Attacks: