BW LION evasive meassures

Following EU NAVFOR’s previous press release of yesterday (Longest range pirate attack), it has emerged that the BW Lion took robust self protection anti piracy measures ensuring that she stayed out of the clutches of the pirates.
Around noon local time, 9 November 2009 the BW Lion, a Hong Kong flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) (Oil Tanker) was attacked by pirates in two fast attack skiffs in the Indian Ocean, 400 nautical miles North East of the Seychelles and 1000 nautical miles East of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades were fired at the bridge during the attack. There were no casualties.

The Master was in constant contact with UKMTO (Dubai) for the duration of the attack which lasted nearly two hours. Through a combination of evasive maneuvering, vessel maintaining full sea speed, the effective use of water hoses and anti boarding measures against the pirates attempting to board the vessel, the master and crew were able to prevent the pirates getting a foothold onto the ship and taking control.

The crew of the BW Lion should be commended for their calm, professional seamanship under the considerable pressure during this dangerous attack.

Further Information

Press Release: “Longest range pirate attack on Crude Oil Tanker in Indian Ocean” - November 9, 2009,
http://www.eunavfor.eu/2009/11/longest-range-pirate-attack-on-crude-oil-tanker-in-indian-ocean/

News: “EU NAVFOR merchant navy liason officers (MNLO) commend MV BW LIONS actions” – November 10, 2009,
http://www.eunavfor.eu/2009/11/eu-navfor-merchant-navy-liason-officers-mnlo-commend-mv-bw-lions-actions/

MNLOs in the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa: Aaron Cooper and Simon Church explaing the Anti Piracy Planing Chart

The recent evasion of the pirates by the BW LION has been commended by the MNLO’s working in the MSCHOA operations centre in the EU NAVFOR OHQ. Simon Church, Industry Liaison Officer, stated that “I would like to specifically commend the professionalism of the Master, Officers and Crew of the BW LION for their anti pirate preparedness allowing them to withstand a sustained pirate attack for over two hours”
 
MSCHOA focusses its resources in providing advice, guidance and shaping practices in counter piracy planning in partnership with the shipping industry. This incidenct is a good example of this advice being used effectively. The coordination between the Master and the close contact and coordination with the UKMTO throughout the ordeal was also critical in the success of deterring this potential hijacking.

MNLOs in the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa: Simon Church explains the IRTC at a Planning Chart

Following this incident, MSCHOA reiterates their advice for all vessels proceeding to ports in East Africa, and that is,  to remain outside of the area bound by 10S and 60E, and avoiding the area between the Somali Coast and North and West of the Seychelles.  In addition, to report their position daily to UKMTO Dubai and MARLO when navigating in an area bound by Suez, 10S and 78E.  A Vessel Movement form, which is available on the MSCHOA website at www.mschoa.eu, should be submitted if the vessel is transiting between Points A and B of the IRTC (International Recommended Transit Corridor), or prior to reaching 10S if heading North, 12N if heading South or 58E if westbound to East African ports.  It is estimated that approx. 25% of vessels trading in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin regions are not reporting to UKMTO Dubai, MARLO or MSCHOA.  

MNLOs working closely with military colleagues in the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa

MSCHOA also encourages Ship-owners Associations and Flag States to guide their  members to the MSCHOA website at www.mschoa.eu to ensure that they are fully aware of the latest piracy information in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin and are also aware of the ship reporting guidelines and the recommendations contained in Version 2 of the Best Management Practices.

Further Information

Anti Piracy Planning Chart – Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean (PDF 6.0 MB)

Automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades were fired. With increasing speed and evasive maneuvers the master managed to evade the attack. No casualties were reported.

On indication of the attack an EU NAVFOR Luxemburg Maritime Patrol Aircraft, operating from the Seychelles was tasked to localize these pirates and to investigate possible further pirate activity in the vicinity of the attack position. The EU NAVFOR French warship FS Floreal was the closest available warship.

FS Floreal and the Maritime Patrol Aircraft take part in the EU NAVFOR mission Operation ATALANTA. The main tasks of Operation ATALANTA are to escort merchant vessels carrying food of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP), the protection of vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy.