Tag: maritime piracy

A new type of defence system British engineers are developing a new type of defence system that uses lasers to incapacitate pirates by dazzling them as they approach a ship.The non-lethal weapon, which has been developed by defence company BAE Systems, is effective against moving targets more than a mile away.The company has started developing the laser in response to the growing threat from pirates to commercial vessels, particularly off the coast of Somalia where there have been several high profile hijackings.The device effectively hides the vessel carrying it in a bright green glare from the laser, forcing the pirates off course and leaving them unable to aim their weapons accurately."We are using the laser as a kind of dummy sun that we can hide the vessel behind," said Roy Clarke, BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre.Source: The Telegraph

Crew uses citadel to repel pirates Suspected Somali pirates boarded a British-flagged tanker, but abandoned the siege after the crew locked themselves in a safe room and retained control of the vessel, a naval task force said Tuesday.The foiled attack in the North Arabian Sea - approximately 365 nautical miles southeast of Salalah in Oman - suggested Somali pirate skiffs are extending their range into waters farther north toward Oman.A statement by the Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces said suspected Somali pirates opened fire from several skiffs and managed to board the merchant vessel CPO China on Monday, but the 20-member crew took refuge in a protected room that allowed them to keep control of the ship.Sailors from a ship in the multinational flotilla, the Australian frigate HMAS Melbourne, boarded the merchant vessel Tuesday and found the pirates gone and all crew safe, the statement said.On Saturday, pirates seized the Algerian-owned ship MV Blida with 27 crew members onboard about 150 nautical miles southeast of Salalah. Source: The Associated Press

Mozambican fishing vessel pirated The Mozambican flagged Fishing Vessel VEGA 5, which was previously reported missing by her owner, is now confirmed as being pirated in the waters between Mozambique and Madagascar.On 31 December, the vessel was spotted near the Mozambique coast, approximately 200 nautical miles South West of the Comoros Islands, heading north. The vessel was towing what looked to be a pirate attack skiff and did not respond to any calls. There has been no further communication with the vessel. The FV VEGA 5 has a displacement of 140 tonnes and a length of 24 meters. The nationalities of the 14 crew members are unknown.Source: EU NAVFOR

MV BLIDA pirated in the Indian Ocean In the afternoon of 1 January, the MV BLIDA was pirated approximately 150 nautical miles South East of the port of Salalah, Oman.The20,586tonneBulk CarrierisAlgerianflagged and owned. The vesselwas on her way toDaresSalaam, TanzaniafromSalalahinOmanat the time of the attack. No further details of the attack are known at this stage.MV Blidahas a crew of27(Algerian, Ukrainian and Philippino) and is carrying a cargo ofClinker.MV BLIDA was registered with MSC(HOA) but had not reported to UKMTO.There are now 28 vessels and 654 hostages being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia.Source: EU NAVFOR

Indian Ocean/Gulf of Aden - NATO Shipping Center Alert Map NATO Shipping Center has launched a Piracy Alert Map for 30 November.You may view the Alert Map by clicking here.Source: NATO Shipping Center

NATO Shipping Center launches a Piracy Alert Map NATO Shipping Center has launched a new initiative on the NSC webpage. The so-called "Alert Map" will make the work of Masters and Company Security Officers (CSO) easier when they have to choose routes through the pirate infested waters. The "Alert Map" can be foundon the Operation Ocean Shield subpage, and on there will be posted the latest piracy relatedalerts, in co-operation with MSCHOA.This geographical presentation of the alerts makes it easier for shipowners, operators and charterers to get an overview of the situation in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and NW Indian Ocean, asit will contain the latest week to 10 days of piracy activity, making it easier to see the hotspots on the map.The map reflects all piracy events dating back to and including 2008, and will be updated on normal work days; To see the latest updated version click here.Source: NATO Shipping Center

NATO Shipping Centre Alerts The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) posted its latest chart of Shipping Centre Alerts. It shows both Alerts and pirate events for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010 in waters in and around the Indian Ocean.Source: NATO