Vessels Hijacked & Boarded by Somali Pirates - 2011

2011 Record of Vessels Hijacked by Somali Pirates.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Annual Piracy Report has been extensively quoted in the maritime media since its publication.

For the first time in five years there is a discernible reduction in successful pirate hijacks and attacks. For further details visit IMB PRC website to request a copy.

In the meantime, the list of vessels and crew captured by Somali pirates thoughout 2011 with the location of the incident on a situational map, is shown below. Note that additional hijacked ships are shown that are not included in the IMB Report. Somalia Report provided additional information. Some of the hijacked vessels were fortunate to have been rescued or, in one instance, recaptured by the crew, which brings the figure to 28 hijacks proper. In addition, a list of vessels that were attacked and boarded, but were not hijacked, is included.

Hijacks:

• 1 Jan - Algeria-flagged bulk carrier, MV Blida, was attacked and hijacked by armed pirates in position 15:45N - 055:52E, off Oman at apporixmately 1030 UTC. Four armed pirates attacked, hijacked and took 27 crew hostage. Vessel released 3 Nov.

• 9 Jan - Indian dhow, Al Musa, attacked and hijacked in position 17:42N - 057:17E, around 152nm ENE of Salalah, Oman at approximately 0400 UTC. Armed pirates in skiffs fired upon and boarded the dhow, taking 14 crew hostage. Vessel was released 24 Jan.

• 15 Jan - Malta-flagged chemical tanker, MT Samho Jewelry, attacked and hijacked in position 22:00N - 064:00E, around 310nm ExS of Muscat, Oman at about 0800 UTC. Armed pirates attacked and boarded the tanker and took hostage 21 crew. The tanker was used as a mothership to attack other vessels. On 21 Jan, the Korean Navy intercepted and rescued the tanker and 21 crew. The Master was shot and injured by pirates during the rescue operation. Eight pirates were killed. The Master later received the IMO 2011 Bravery Award.

• 17 Jan - Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier, MV Eagle, attacked and hijacked in position 13:17N - 061:42E, around 417nm E of Socotra Isalnd, Yemen at about 0641 UTC. Six armed pirates used guns and RPG hijacking the ship and taking 24 crew hostage. Vessel released 19 Aug.

• 17 Jan - Mongolai-flagged bulk carrier, MV Hoang Son Sun, attacked and hijacked in position 18:36N - 064:22E, around 370nm E of Oman at about 0700 UTC. Pirates attacked, boarded and hijacked the ship and all crew, then sailed to Somali coast. Vessel released 17 Sep.

• 20 Jan - Tog-flagged bulk carrier, MV Khaled Muhieddine K, attacked and hijacked in position 15:11N - 0059:38Em around 330nm ESE of Salalah, Oman at about 1242 UTC. Armed pirates boarded and hijacked the ship and took 25 crew hostage, then sailed to the Somali coast. Vessel released 25 May.

• 20 Jan - Panama-flagged chemical tanker, MT Bunga Laurel, attacked and hijacked in position 20:09N - 063:58E, around 273nm SE of Ras Al Hadd, Oman at about 1359 UTC. Seven pirates boarded the tanker as the crew had locked themselves in the citadel and had requested assistance. A Malaysian auxiliary naval vessel responded by sending a boarding team which boarded the tanker and detained the pirates. The vessel and crew were safely rescued.

• 22 Jan - Antigua & Barbuda-flagged general cargo ship, MV Beluga Nomination, attacked and hijacked in position 01:49N - 056:35E, around 360nm N of Seychelles at about 1236 UTC. Pirates chased, fired upon and boarded the ship as the crew had locked themselves in the citadel and had requested assistance. The pirates managed to gain command of the ship after 2 days. Two crew members managed to escape in a lifeboat and were later rescued by a warship. Three other crew members died during an attempted rescue (one possibly shot by pirates and two others drowned when jumping into the sea trying to escape). The remaining seven crew were taken hostage, and the ship sailed to the Somali coast. Vessel released 13 Apr.

• 8 Feb - Italy-flagged tanker, MT Savina Caylyn, attacked and hijacked in position 12:07N - 065:35E, around 490nm NW of Minicoy Island, India at about 0450 UTC. Five armed pirates chased and fired upon the tanker which was boarded and hijacked. Vessel released 21 Dec.

• 9 Feb - Greece-flagged tanker, MT Irene SL, attacked and hijacked in position 21:27N - 063:18E, around 205nm WNW of Ras Al Hadd, Oman at about 0926 UTC. Armed pirates chased and fired upon the tanker, managing to board and hijack the vessel with25 crew taken hostage. Vessel released 7 Apr.

• 12 Feb - Malta-flagged bulk carrier, MV Sinin, attacked and hijacked in position 20:15N - 064:16E, around 280nm SE of ras Al Hadd, oman at about 1218 UTC. The owners received a distress alert from the ship and informed the coalition forces. An aircraft was sent to the location and observed 2 skiffs onboard the ship. Pirates had taken all 25 crew as hostages. Vessel released 13 Aug.

• 13 Feb - Yemen-flagged fishing vessel, FV Alfadous attacked by armed pirates when underway in approximate position 12:00N - 053:02E, around 8nm S of Samhah Island, Yemen. Pirates attacked and hijacked the FV taking hostage all 8 crew. FV was suspected of being used as a pirate mothership for further attacks.

• 18 Feb - US-flagged yacht, Quest, attacked and hijacked in position 18:00N - 061:02E, around 345nm ExN of Salalah, Oman at about 1323 UTC. The yacht was hijacked with 4 crew taken hostage. A US coalition warship intercepted the yacht, and after being fired upon by pirates onboard the yacht, boarded the vessel but found the 4 crew dead. The pirates were detained.

• 24 Feb - Denmark-flagged yacht, ING, attacked and hijacked off Somalia. Pirates boarded the yacht, taking the seven Danish crew, including 3 children, hostage. Seven crew released 7 Sep.

• 28 Feb - Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Dover, attacked and hijacked in position 18:48N - 058:25E, aound 265nm NE of Salalah, Oman at about 0600 UTC. Ship and 24 crew taken hostage. During captivity, used to hold Danish family and crew from yacht ING. Vessel released 30 Sep.

• 16 Mar - Indonesia-flagged general cargo ship, MV Sinar Kudus, attacked and hijacked in position 14:21N - 059:25E, around 310nm off Socotra Island, Yemen at about 1642 UTC. Aroudn 40 armed pirates took the 20 crew hostage and used the vessel for mothership piracy operations.Vessel released 1 May.

• 21 Mar - Liberia-flagged tanker, Al-Nouf, attacked in position 03:47N 053:33E, around 495nm NE of Mogadishu, Somalia at about 0846 UTC. Chased by mothersip and 2 skiffs with 4 pirates in 1 skiff and 10 pirates in another skiff, guns and RPG were fired at the tanker. The Master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and activated SSAS. The Master, 2 crew and unarmed security team remained on the Bridge whilst the remaining crew mustered in the citadel. Although the vessel evaded the boarding attempt, two crew sustained minor injuries but another was in serious condition. The tanker sustained damage.

• 28 Mar - UAE-flagged tanker, MT Zirku, attacked and hijacked in postion 15:36N - 057:04E, around 189nm SE of Salalah, Oman at about 1642 UTC. Pirates armed with guns and RPG in 2 skiffs chased and fired at the tanker. The Master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres, fired rocket flares and crew activted fire hoses. The pirates managed to come alongside, board and hijack the tanker. Vessel released 11 Jun.

• 8 Apr - Antigua & Barbuda-flagged general cargo ship, MV Susan K, attacked and hijacked in position 18:25N - 057:27E, about 30nm off Ras Al Masrah, Oman at about 0234 UTC. 10 armed pirates attacked the vessel as the 10 crew members retreated into the citadel and requested assistance. The pirates managed to gain access into the citadel and took the crew hostage. Vessel released 16 Jun.

• 16 Apr - Yemen fishing vessel, Abdi Khan, attacked and hijacked in position 11:54N - 054:05E, around 25nm S of Socotra Island, Yemen. Pirates took 6 crew hostage. Later released 3 crew and sent them to Yemen along with another Yemeni fishing vessle. The remaining crew continue to be held hostage.

• 19 Apr - Seychelles fishing vessel, Gloria, attacked and hijacked in position 03:47S - 055:41E, off Denis Island, Seychelles. Seven pirates aremed with Ak-47 and RPG boarded the FV. Crew sent distress alert picked up by Seychelles CG. Pirates took 4 crew hostage and ordered them to sail to Somalia. 20 Apr, Seychelles CG launched an operation which resulted in the rescue of the crew and detaining of 7 pirates. One crew member slightly hurt during operation. Three pirates injured with 1 killed.

• 21 Apr - Italy-flagged bulk carrier, Rosalia D'Amato attacked and hijacked in position 13:16.7N - 059:05.6E, around 365nm SE of Salalah, Oman at about 0204 UTC. Armed pirates in a skiff chased and fired upon the ship, managing to board and take all the crew hostage. Vessel released 26 Nov.

• 30 Apr - Singapore-flagged chemical tanker, Gemini, attacked and hijacked in position 07:00S - 041:20E,around 115nm ESE of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania at about 0420 UTC. Pirates in 2 skiffs boarded the tanker taking 24 crew hostage. The vessel was released 30 Nov.

• 16 Jul - UAE product tanker, MT Jubba XX, attacked by armed pirates in position 13:48N - 051:25E, aroudn 130nm NW of Socotra, Yemen. Armed pirates attacked and boarded the tanker. The tanker was hijacked with 16 crew and taken to Somalia. Vessel was released shortly after.

• 20 Aug - Marshall Island-flagged chemical tanker, MT Fairchem Bogey, attacked and hijacked in position 16:54N - 054:03E, at Salalah Anchorage, Oman at approximately 0108 UTC. Armed pirates boarded and hijacked the tanker taking the 21 crew memmbers hostage. Omani authorities intercepted the tanker but the pirates threatened to harm the crew if any action was taken. Vessel released 12 Jan 2012.

• 27 Aug - Fishing vessel, Al Ain, hijacked with 13 Yemen crew onboard off Somali coast. Eight pirates hijacked the vessel off Bargaal district. 3 crew were reportedly wounded in the attack. Vessel reported being used as a mothership with some of the crew held captive on land in Ras Bina near Bargaal.

• 8 Sep - French yacht, Tribal Kat, was attacked and boarded by armed pirates in position 15:27N - 052:14E, around 20nm S of Nishtun, Gulf of Aden, at approximately 1317 UTC. Pirates fired at the yacht and board the vessel taking the crew hostage. A naval boarding team arrived later, boarded the yacht which had been abandoned by the pirates. One crew memeber was later rescued 9 Sep, but the other crew member was reported killed.

• 29 Oct - Sri Lanka-flagged fishing vessel, Nimesha Duwa, reported in postion 02:09N - 059:39E. Owners reported had not been able to contact FV and believed vessel had been hijacked and taken to Somalia. Last known position was on 11 Dec near Grisby anchorage in Somalia.

• 31 Oct - Marshall Island-flagged chemical tanker, MT Liquid Velvet, was attacked and boarded by armed pirates in position 12:00N - 045:33E, Gulf of Aden at approximately 0858 UTC. Armed pirates attacked and hijacked the tanker taking all 22 crew hostage, including an unarmed security person, and sailed to Somalia.

• 3 Nov - Taiwan-flagged fishing vessel, Chin Yu Wen, attacked and hijacked in position 06:10S - 051:10E, around 260nm SW of Seychelles at about 2100 UTC. Pirates boarded the FV and hijacked the vessel with 28 crew taken hostage and sailed toward the Somali coast. On 5 Nov, the crew managed to regain control of the FV and rendezvoused with a warship that provided assistance. All 28 crew were safe, although 3 sustained minor injuries. Pirates were detained and taken to the Seychelles.

• 27 Dec - Italy-flagged chemical tanker, Enrico Ievoli, attacked and hijacked in position 18:18N - 057:36E, around 44nm SSW of Ras Al Madrakah, Oman at about 0403 UTC. Pirates in a skiff chased and fired upon, the vessel. They boarded and hijacked the ship taking 18 crew hostage headed toward Somali coast.

• Not shown on record: 30 Oct - Seychelles-flagged fishing vessel, Aride, hijacked with 2 personnel onboard. Precise details of capture are not known (via Somalia Report).

2011 Hijack Positions (Data Courtesy of IMB PRC/Somalia Report)

Boarded:

• 3 Jan - UK-flagged chemical tanker, MT CPO China, attacked and boarded in position 15:48N - 059:49E, around 330nm ESE of Salalah, Oman at approximately 1039 UTC. Pirates armed with guns and RPG in 2 skiffs chased and fired upon the ship. The Master raised the alarm, contact the authorities for assistance, increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres. The pirates made several attempts to board the tanker, finally gaining access. All crew managed to enter the citadel and the authorities were informed that they were able to control the vessel. Pirates caused damage to the tanker when they were unable to take control. A warship arrived on the scene and found the pirates had disembarked and escaped. A naval boarding team searched the tanker and released the crew on completion.

• 12 Jan - Denmark-flagged general cargo ship, MV Leopard, attacked and boarded in position 15:11N 0 058:18E, around 270nm NE of Socotra Island, Yemen at approximately 1453 UTC. Four armed pirates in 2 skiffs boarded the vessel. Crew were reported to be locked dwon in a citadel. On arrival, a warship boarding team searched the vessel and found the vessel was abandoned. There pirates had kidnapped the 6 crew and transferred them to a fishing vessel which had been hijacked 25 Dec 2010 off Madagascar. The warship remained in the area until a tug was sent to tow the ship to a safe port.

• 14 Jan - Comoros-flagged Ro-Ro vessel, MV Smeraldo, attacked and boarded in position 17:11N - 061:21E, around 410nm E of Salalah, Oman at about 1730 UTC. Armed pirates in 2 skiffs launched from a mothership, chased and fired upon the vessel. The Master raised the alarm, increased spped and took evasive manoeuvres. After several attempts, two pirates managed to board the ship. All crew immediately took shelter in the citadel and maintained control of the ship. The pirates left the ship 15 Jan. A coalition forces helicopter arrived at the scenen and was informed by the Master that the crew and ship were safe.

• 28 Jan - Liberia-flagged tanker, New York Star, attacked and boarded in position 11:17.5N - 063:33.4E, around 560nm E of Socotra Island, Yemen at about 0400 UTC. Pirates in 4 skiffs launched from a mothership, armed with guns and RPG chased the vessel. The Master increased speed, enforced anti-piracy measures and crew retreated to the citadel. Four armed guard fired rocker flares, but pirates managed to board. Owners were contact from the citadel and IMB requested assistance. A Dutch warship was despatched to render assistance. On 29 Jan, at 0600 UTC, the Dutch navy boarding team freed the 23 crew and security guards. The pirates had departed prior to the warship arrival.

• 2 Mar- Belgium-flagged yacht, Capricorn, attacked boarded in position 12:11N - 063:58E, around 550nm E of Socotra Island, Yemen at about 0750 UTC. Six armed pirates opened fire and boarded the motorised sailing boat as the crew locked themselves in the Engine Room. The vessel was under escort by another vessel with armed security. When the security vessel approached the sailing boat, the pirates abandoned it and moved away. A mothership was seen at a distance of 7nm.

• 5 Mar - Bahamas-flagged tanker, MT Guanabara, attacked and boarded in position 16:03N - 062:46E, around 526nm NE of Socotra Island, Yemen at about 1222 UTC. Armed pirates in a mothership and skiff chased the tanker. The Master raised the alarm, sent a distress message and took evasive manoeuvres. Pirates opened fire, came alongisde and managed to board the tanker as the crew retreated into the citadel and maintained control of the ship. Authorities were informed. A US warship responded to the distress call. On 6 Mar, a boarding team went onboard, detained 4 pirates and released the tanker and crew.

• 21 Mar - Panama-flagged chemical tanker, MV Liquid Crystal, attacked and boarded in position 17:13N - 063:18E, around 522nm E of Salalah, Oman at about 1222 UTC. Chased by five pirates armed with AK-47 in a white skiff doing 24 knots. Master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres, sent distress message and activated water jet from the fire monitor. Two of the pirates caught the ship’s side, cut the razor wire with a small tool and came on board while the other three pirates remained in the skiff. All crewmembers took shelter in the citadel. The pirates then made their way to the bridge and entered the bridge by breaking the glass and the protecting bars. The crew remained in the citadel for 3.5 hours and later searched the ship and found no pirates onboard. All crewmembers and the tanker are safe.

• 24 Mar - Philippine-flagged bulk carrier, MV Falcon Trader II, attacked and boarded in position 22:26N - 063:40E, around 220nm E of Ras Al Hadd, Oman at about 0737 UTC. Chased by pirates in skiffs, the Master increased speed and enforced anti-piracy measures which saw the pirates abort the attempt. After appearing to abort the attack, the skiff returned and boarded the vessel. The 20 crew had retreated to the safe room. A naval boarding team subsequently boarded the ship and found that the pirates had already left the ship. The crew regained control fo the ship and contnued her journey.

• 1 Apr - Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, MV Arrilah-I, attacked and boarded in position 19:17N - 065:45E, around 398nm SE of Sur, Oman at about 0528 UTC. 2 skiffs with 3 pirates in each chased the vessel. The crew had retreated into the citadel and requested assitance. A naval boarding tema arrived 2 April and rescued the 24 crew. No pirates were found onboard having left prior to the arrival of the naval forces.

• 20 Apr - Panama-flagged container ship, Hanjin Tianjin, attacked and boarded in position 12:58N - 058:55E, around 270nm E of Socotra island, Yemen at about 2025 UTC. Pirates fired upon the ship. The Master raised the alarm, sent distress message and all crew retreated t the citadel. Pirates were unable to gain access. A NATO warship responded and launched a helicopter which reported no pirate activity spotted onboard. 21 Apr, a S Korean warship boarding team boarded the vessel and confirmed the pirates had left, and rescued the 20 crew.

• 5 May - Panama-flagged bulk carrier, Full City, attacked and boarded in position 14:50N - 066:48E, at about 0336 UTC. Pirates armed with guns and RPG boarded the vessel. The Master contacted the CSO and authorities and all crew retreated to the citadel. Navies in the area responded to the distress call and on arrival at the locations deployed a boarding team, which confirmed no pirates remained onboard.

• 31 May - Panama-flagged bulk carrier, MV Atlas, attacked and boarded by armed pirates in position 13:30N - 042:35E in Southern Red Sea at 1300 UTC. Five pirates with automatice weapons fired upon the ship and managed to board her. All crew retreated to the citadel and requested assistance. All lights were switched off. A naval boarding team later intercepted thd vessel, and on boarding and searching the ship, rescued the crew. No pirates were found onboard having left prior to naval forces arrival.

• 15 Jun - Panama-flagged general cargo ship, Suez, attacked in position 09:18N - 051:15E, around 26nm off Somali coast. One pirate managed to board the ship but had to jump overboard after being confronted by the crew.

• 6 Jul - Liberia-flagged tanker, MT Brilliante Virtuoso, attacked by armed pirates in [opsitions 12:29N - 044:44, aroudn 20nm SW of Aden, Yemen at approximately 0023 UTC. Seven armed pirates attacked and boarded the tanker. Tanker caught fire and the pirates subsequenntly left the vessel. Later, all crew also abandonded the tanker due to a fire that was out of control, and were rescued by a naval warship.

• 11 Aug - Malta-flagged bulk carrier, MV Caravos Horizon, attacked and boarded by armed pirates in approximate posnition 15:09N - 041:55E, around 60nm WNW of Al Hudaydah, Yemen at about 1115 UTC. A pirate mothership was observed 0.5nm from the vessel. The PAG launched 3 skiffs which approached the vessel. The mAster raised the alarm and commenced evasive manoeuvres, and ordered all crew into the citadel. The pirates were able to board the vessel but could not breach the citadel. The CSO informed the navies after receiving information from the Master. A warship later arrived and deployed Marines to board the vessel, confirming that all pirates had left the ship. Ship and crew porperty had been stolen but all 24 crew were rescued.

• 10 Sep - Greece-flagged tanker, MT United Emblem, was attacked and boarded by armed pirates in approximate position 14:04N - 042:51E, around 4nm off Jazirat Jabal Zuqar Island, Yemen at about 0535 UTC. Pirates in 3 skiffs, and 1 skiff with 6 armed pirates approached the tanker. The crew locked all access to the ship and mustered on the Bridge. The Master increased speed, activated SSAS alert, carried out evasive manoeuvres and contacted the CSO. The crew proceed to the Engine Room. Pirates managed to board the tanker. A warship responded to the distress and proceeded towards the tanker. On arrival, a helicopter was launched and a boarding team was dispatched to secure the tanker. It was confirmed that no pirates were onboard. The tanker's Bridge console and accommodation windows were broken by the oirate before leaving. All 26 crew were rescued.

• 20 Sep - Cyprus-flagged general cargo ship, MV Pacific Express, was attacked and boarded in positions 04:47S - 044:35E, around 300nm E of Mombasa, Kenya at about 0734 UTC. Pirates in 2 skiffs armed with guns and RPG chased and fired upon the ship. The pirates managed to board the vessel as the crew retreated to the citadel and requested assistance. Before leaving the ship, the pirates set it on fire. A coalition warship arrived at the scene and rescued the crew.

• 25 Sep - Turkish-flagged general cargo ship, MV CS Cihan, was attacked and boarded by armed pirates in approximate position 14:09N - 042:49E, Red Sea at about 1342 UTC. Armed pirates chased and attacked the ship. The alarm was raised and the Master requested assistance and stopped the ship. All crew quickly retreated into the citadel. The pirates boarded and opend fire on the ship. After 3.5 hours, the crew came out of the citadel and found that all the pirates had departed the vessel. All crew were safe and the ship continued her voyage.

• 10 Oct - Italian bulk carrier, MV Montecristo, attacked and boarded in position 12:31N - 061:48E, around 430nm E of Socotra Isalnd, Yemen at approximately 0330 UTC. Eleven armed pirates fired on the ship and managed to board the vessel. All 19 crew members, including the Master and four armed secuirty personnel retreated into the purpose-built citadel and requested assistance (using a plastic bottle to send a message to arriving naval forces). 11 October, A NATO warship arrived on location and sent a naval boarding team to free the crew and security personnel. All pirates onboard were detained.

Data courtesy of IMB and Somalia Report.

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