25 July 2011
24.07.2011: 0240 LT: Posn: 05:59.36N – 002:24.11E, Around 20nm south of Cotonou, Benin
Armed pirates boarded a product tanker engaged in STS operations via the other tanker.
They took hostage 23 crew members and hijacked the tanker to an unknown location. The ownershave beenunable to contact the tanker. Further details awaited.
292-11 22.07.2011: 0536 UTC: Posn: 13:31.7N – 042:42.2E, Around 30nm north of Assab, Eritrea, Red Sea
Three skiffs with 5-6 pirates in each skiffs were noticed by a tanker underway. One of the skiff suddenly approached the tanker. Master released two flares when the skiff closed to 700 metres. The skiff doing 20 knots ignored the warning flares and continued chasing the tanker. As the skiff closed, on board security team on board fired a flare and one warning shot resulting in the skiff moving away towards the other 2 skiffs. Coalition warship was informed and a helicopter was dispatched.
291-11 23.07.2011: 0523 UTC: Posn: 13:41.3N – 042:57.4E, Around 40nm NxE of Assab, Eritrea, Red Sea
Pirates in two skiffs approached a container ship underway. Master raised alarm, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and crew activated fire hoses. The pirates chased the ship and later aborted the attempted attack. At 0646 UTC, another skiff rushed out from Abu-Ali Island towards the ship at high speed. Due to the razor wire rigged along the ship’s side and the evasive manoeuvres the pirates aborted the attack. A mother vessel was sighted in the vicinity.
290-11 17.07.2011: 0001-0500 LT: Posn: 00:13.46S – 117:35.67E, Samarinda Muara Berau Anchorage, Indonesia
Robbers boarded a bulk carrier at anchor, stole ship’s stores and escaped unnoticed.
289-11 22.07.2011: 0942 UTC: Posn: 13:00.4N – 048:22.0E, Gulf of Aden
Six armed pirates in a skiff chased a container vessel underway. Master raised the alarm, took evasive manoeuvres and contacted the coalition forces. The vessel managed to evade the attempt.
288-11 22.07.2011: 0340 LT: Conakry Port, Guinea
Armed robbers boarded a vehicle carrier during cargo operations and held a duty crew at gun point and forced him to direct them to the ship’s stores. They hit the crew when he resisted. The robbers forced their way into the forecastle store and stole ship’s stores before escaping.
287-11 22.07.2011: 1029 UTC: Posn: 12:56N – 048:30E, Gulf of Aden
Armed pirates in a skiff fired upon a general cargo ship underway. Master took evasive manoeuvres and managed to evaded the attack. Warship in the vicinity approached the vessel and managed to stop and board the skiff.
286-11 21.07.2011: 1118 UTC: Posn: 13:29N – 042:36E, Around 30 NM NxW of Assab, Eritrea, Red Sea
Six pirates in a skiff chased and fired upon a general cargo ship underway. Mater raised alarm and crew proceeded to the citadel. The onboard armed security took their positions and made their presence known. Seeing the security the pirates aborted the attack and moved away. The incident was reported to warship.
285-11 16.07.2011: 0235 LT: Posn: 06:08.8N – 002:30.8E, OPL Cotonou, Benin
Armed robbers in a boat boarded and remained on board an anchored product tanker for 63 hours. During this time they manhandled some crew resulting in minor injuries as well as stealing part of the ship’s cargo. Prior to departing the vessel they stole crew and ship’s property and damaged the navigation and radio equipment.
284-11 20.07.2011: 1540 UTC: Posn: 13:25.9N – 042:41.6E, Around 24 NM North of Assab, Eritrea, Red Sea
A tanker was chased and fired upon by six to seven pirates wearing dark clothes in a skiff. Master increased speed and mustered crew. Onboard security team released flares and when pirates continued, warning shots were fired resulting in the pirates moving away.
Source: IMB Piracy Reporting Centre
