Release, hijack and attacks but 4 pirates dead after ransom drop. China and Pakistan in first anti-piracy drill; Yemen and Spain sentence pirates; tension escalates as navies and pirates take off glove; MV Iceberg1 crew pleads for help on video; Senator Kirk visits Puntland whilst the U.S. is to review strategies and work closer with Sri Lanka.
MV Sinar Kudus was released from pirate control after 46 days following a ransom drop. After some concerns were raised that the ship and 20 Indonesian crew had not been freed, it was reported that it was due to the pirates counting their ill-gotten gains. However, a spokesman for the Indonesia TNI confirmed that "we shot four of the pirates dead after the ransom was given." He also stated that "the military were expecting more pirates to collect the ransom." The Jakarta Post. The pirates had stated they had received US$4 million. The crew were at one stage reported to be in poor health as the water supply was running out, only contaminated water was left. The Indonesian army had considered sending troops to free the Indonesian hostages. The Indonesian military were called upon to cooperate with neighbouring countries forces to secure Somali waters. “Now there must be a comprehensive solution to this problem. It should be considered to cooperate with other countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and India,” TB Hasanuddin, deputy chairman of House’s Commission overseeing defence, said on Monday The Jakarta Post.
A Singapore-flagged and -owned tanker, MT Gemini, was hijacked by pirates on its way to Mombasa. With a crew of 25, the vessel was reported possibly pirated following receipt of a distress alert by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The tanker was at approximately 120 nautical miles (222 kilometres) from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at the time of the incident, which occurred at approximately 0350 UTC on April 30 CRI English.com . The vessels movements had been registered with the EU-based MSC(HOA) and was reporting to UKMTO.
An Italian-flagged container ship, MV Ital Glamour, suffered damage following a pirate attack lasting 30 minutes in the Arabian Sea. Four pirates attacked the vessel which was en route to Saudi Arabia from Malaysia. 3 rocket propelled grenades hit the ship causing damage to the owner's cabin, chief mate's quarters and the galley area. There were no injuries to the 22 crew as the pirates circled the ship prior to aborting the attack. The ship did not have an armed security team on board; however, evasive manoeuvres and fire pumps were employed as anti-piracy measures by the Master whilst the remaining crew had retreated to the engine room as a citadel. The Italian warship, ITS Espero, was later dispatched to assist the vessel and to check no unexploded ordnance was left on board.
The Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Full City, was attacked, using RPG and automatic weapons, and boarded by 7 pirates in the Indian Ocean in the early hours of May 5 en route to India from Jeddah. The Master had contacted the coalition forces and company CSO before the 14 Chinese crew locked themselves into the citadel. The Hong Kong-based Cosco Group operated vessel was confirmed free of pirates following as Indian, NATO and Chinese warships arrived on the scene. A boarding team conducted a search which concluded that the pirates had made their escape.
A St Vincent and Grenadines-flagged general cargo ship, MV King Grace, was attacked by 4 pirates in a single skiff in the Arabian Sea approximately 190nm southeast of Salalah. Weapons were fired at the vessel and the Master undertook evasive manoeuvres and contacted the coalition forces. The embarked armed security team fired warning shots which saw the pirates abort the attempted hijack IMB.
In the first joint exercise of its kind between two countries, China and Pakistan navies conducted joint anti-piracy drills off the Somali coast. Chinese warships of Wenzhou, Ma’anshan and Qiandaohu and the Pakistani guided missile destroyer Khyber took part in the drill, including joint escort, helicopters’ cross landing, joint boarding, special operation members’ slide-landing from helicopter, helicopter air rescue and simulated airborne replenishment, says the Pakistan Times.
In India, the government has looked to police to help them in negotiations with Somali pirates, says the Indian Express. The Yellow Gate police station is assisting in negotiations for the release of 7 Indian seafarers kept from being released with MV Asphalt Venture, despite the payment of a ransom last month the Indian Express. A consequence of the increase in Somali piracy is the 'killing' or indefinite delay to the future Indian aircraft carriers. Indian warships and patrol aircraft have to spend more time patrolling the Indian Ocean in search of pirates, which is an expensive venture for all navies involved in patrolling the high risk waters. Although there are other factors, reports the internet blog, Strategy Page that affect the future of the Indian Navy carriers.
A passionate and desperate plea for help was reported on video by an Indian crewmember of the Panama-flagged, MV Iceberg 1, whose 24 crew have been held for over a year now. The crew are kept in a single cramped cabin and the crewman states some are ill - IBNLive.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, calls for urgent support from the international community for Somalia government and the African troops, under AMISOM, to help consolidate the gains made - UN report. Meanwhile, the Yemen court, despite the current political and social upheaval, has sentenced 2 Somali pirates to 10-years imprisonment - sabanews.net.
The Spanish courts have gone further in their sentencing, however, by handing out 439-year sentences, each, to 2 pirates involved in the hijack of a Spanish fishing vessel, FV Alakrana, (left) in 2009 - CNN
As Somali piracy surges, the U.S. is to review its strategy, says Think Africa Press. Despite international efforts to combat piracy being intiated two years ago, the problem is worsening, and "a more energetic approach is needed." This week also saw the U.S. Senator, Mark Kirk, visit the semi-autonomous Puntland area of Somalia. The Illinois Senator spoke to the Puntland President, Abdurrahman Mohamed Farole and came face-to-face with an infamous pirate "Boyah" who is held in Bosaso prison on an 8-year sentence for piracy. Senator Kirk, who took over the vacant seat from the election of Barack Obama to the U.S. Presidency, was also reviewing the NATO and U.S. efforts in defeating piracy in the region - Somalia Report. In addition to this, the U.S. has expressed desire to work closely with Sri Lanka, especially in the areas of maritime security, counter terrorism, and combating piracy, reports ColomboPage. The Sri Lankan government stated its "appreciation for the humanitarian assistance provided by the U.S."
And finally, pirates are blamed for the spread of HIV/Aids in Somalia. An unforeseen consequence of piracy in the lawless country of Somalia is the dramatic increase in the number of people infected with HIV/Aids in Puntland. According to the director of Puntland's Ministry of Health, Dr Abdirisaq Hirsi Hassan, there has been a high percentage increase from previous information gathered last year. Unsuspecting teenage girls "come from all over Somali regions [...] just to grab whatever they can from pirates." The extravagant and lavish lifestyle of the pirates brings them to pirate hubs, where they are unknowingly infected - Somalia Report.
The piracy events in the Horn of Africa region over the last week are;
Hijack:
- April 30 at 0420 UTC: in positions 0701S - 04122E; approximately 115nm east by southeast of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania. Chemical tanker, MT Gemini, attacked by pirates in 2 skiffs. Pirates boarded the vessel taking 24 crew members hostage.
6 Unsuccessful Attacks:
- May 3 at 0310 UTC: in position 1310N - 04918E: Gulf of Aden (IRTC), Denmark-flagged, MV Nord Neptune, attacked by pirates (9 in number). RPG and automatic weapons fired, crew fired warning flares then warning shots. Further anti-piracy measures taken, SSAS alert sent and coalition forces in the vicinity informed. The vessel managed to evade the hijack attempt.
- May 3 at 0335 UTC: in position 2148N – 006004E: Northern Arabian Sea, off the Oman coast. MV attacked by pirates in 4 skiffs with 4 pirates in each, approached the vessel. Automatic weapons and ladders observed. The vessel evaded the hijack attempt reports MUSC.
- May 4 at 0426 UTC: in position 1350N – 06554E, Indian Ocean. A container ship, MV Ital Glamour, approximately 530nm northwest of Minicoy Island, India, came under attack. The Italy-flagged ship was circled by 4 pirates in a single skiff, firing RPG and automatic weapons. The pirates damaged barbed wire on the ship. The Master ordered an increase in speed and the crew to the engine room as a citadel.He then took evasive manoeuvres, contacting coalition forces and the company CSO. Damage was sustained from at least 3 RPG rounds during the 30 minute attack. The vessel did not have armed security, however, managed to evade hijack.
- May 5 at 0336 UTC: in position 1450N - 06648E: Indian Ocean, approximately 540nm northwest of Minicoy Island, India. A bulk carrier, MV Full City (left),
was attacked by pirates firing RPG and automatic weapons. 7 pirates boarded the vessel, however, the Master had contacted the authorities and company CSO. The 14 Chinese crew locked themselves in the citadel. Naval forces boarding team was deployed on board to rescue the crew and discovered the pirates had already escaped. The vessel managed to evade the hijack attempt. - May 5 at 1153 UTC: in position 1443N - 05613E: Arabian Sea, approximately 190nm southeast of Salalah, Oman. St Vincent and Grenadines-flagged, MV King Grace, was attacked by 1 skiff with 4 pirates firing weapons. The Master ordered evasive manoeuvres and contacted coalition forces. The embarked armed security team returned warning shots and the pirates aborted the attack. The vessel evaded the hijack attempt.
- May 6 at 1423 UTC: in position 1614N - 05547E, a merchant vessel was chased and fired upon by a single pirate skiff. No further details available, however, the vessel managed to evade the hijack attempt.
Suspect Pirate Activity:
- 2 PAGs are conducting mothership operations in the Indian Ocean. Jelbut 33 dhow and FV Jih Chun Tsai 68 have been reported by NATO shipping Centre in the northern Somali Basin. Two dhows have been disrupted shortly after leaving their anchorages, however, 2 dhow PAGs are operating in the Arabian Sea.
- Jelbut 32 dhow was observed in the Central Somali Basin in the area bounded by 5 to 10N and 50 to 55E heading in an easterly direction, but may change course at any time, says NATO SC. The Gulf of Aden remains a high risk area with the potential for pirate skiffs to blend in with local traffic then launch an attack at an opportune moment. Unfavourable weather conditions have affected pirate activity southwest of the Seychelles, off the Kenya and Tanzania coasts, down towards the Mozambique Channel.
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 any reported positions of attacks 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 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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