MV JAHAN MONI

On 5 December, the MV JAHAN MONI was pirated in the Somali Basin, approximately 1300 nautical miles East of Eyl (Somalia), and only 300 nautical miles from the Indian coast.

The Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier has a crew of 26, all of whom are reported to be Bangladeshi.

Including the MV JAHAN MONI, pirates are currently holding 23 vessels, with 547 hostages. 

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. In addition, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

MV ALBEDO

In the early hours of 26 November, the MV ALBEDO was pirated approximately 900 nautical miles East of Mogadishu (Somalia).

The MV ALBEDO is Malaysian flagged and owned, with a crew of 23 (Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Iranian). The vessel was carrying containers and was bound for Mombasa from Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Including the MV ALBEDO, pirates are currently holding 22 vessels with 521 hostages.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. In addition, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

MV MEDI CHENNAI

In the early hours of 26 November, the MV MEDI CHENNAI was attacked approximately 880 nautical miles (1,600 kilometres) East of Port Victoria, Seychelles. This is the further East attack ever registered by EU NAVFOR since the beginning of its Operation in December 2008, the last further East attack being 60 nautical miles West from this one.

The MV MEDI CHENNAI reported it was under attack and being fired upon with small arms and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). The Captain of the bulk carrier mustered all non essential personnel in a safe room and immediately started evasive manoeuvres by zigzagging five degrees at a time.

The addition of evasive manoeuvres and self protection measures (barbed wires around the upper deck) made it impossible for the Pirate Action Group to board the vessel and the MV MEDO CHENNAI confirmed it was safe.

This is the tenth vessel that has escaped being pirated thanks to Best Management Practices in the last 8 days.

FS SOMME

On 24 November, a joint operation between two EU NAVFOR aircraft and the EU NAVFOR warship FS SOMME enabled the disruption of seven suspected pirates.

The joint air mission, led on 24 November by the EU NAVFOR French aircraft “E-3F SDCA” and the EU NAVFOR Luxembourg aircraft “Merlin Fairchild SW3”, led to the location of a Pirate Action Group (PAG) approximately 280 nautical miles North-East of Mogadishu.

The Luxembourg aircraft, after a fly pass over the PAG, confirmed that this was a suspect mother ship operating with an attack skiff.

The French warship FS SOMME, within a few days of joining the EU NAVFOR Operation, was patrolling the area and moved to intercept the two suspect craft. When approached by FS SOMME, the pirate mother-ship increased speed. However, FS SOMME fired warning shots and was able to successfully intercept the whaler, with 7 suspected pirates onboard. The attack skiff fled the scene, with two suspected pirates onboard.

As there was insufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution, the piracy paraphernalia were confiscated, the whaler destroyed, and the seven suspected pirates were returned to Somalia. This disruption has hampered pirate action and is assessed to have prevented attacks on merchant and other vulnerable vessels.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and to protect vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, and to deter and disrupt piracy. In addition, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

Best Management Practices (BMP) booklet

Seven vessels transiting in the Somali Basin escaped pirating in the last five days thanks to Best Management Practices (BMP).

On the morning of Friday 19 November, the Master of the MV NYK ALTAIR reported his vessel was being attacked by two skiffs using RPGs, approximately 700 nautical miles East from Socotra Island. The container ship increased speed, took evasive maneuvers and succeeded in evading the attack.

Also on Friday, in the afternoon, the MV VEGA LIBRA was attacked approximately 750 nautical miles East from Socotra Island. The bulk carrier stated it received hits from three RPGs and AK47 fire. Despite the suspected pirates’ perseverance, the MV VEGA LIBRA continued evasive action, zigzagging, during the pirate attack. After more than one hour, the Pirate Action Group eventually abandoned their attack.

On the following morning, Saturday 20 November, the MV GRACEFUL MADONNA’s Master stated the vessel was being chased by a skiff approximately 750 nautical miles North East of Port Victoria (Seychelles). After 30 minutes and a number of small arms fire at the vessel, the Pirate Action Group aborted their attack, disrupted by the vessel’s self-protection measures.

A few hours later on the same day, the MV NORTHERN PROMOTION reported being under attack, approximately 300 nautical miles North East of Socotra Island. The merchant vessel increased speed to 22 knots, making it impossible for the pirates to board the vessel.

On the evening of Sunday 21 November, the MV FRONT ALFA reported it was under attack also 300 nautical miles North East of Socotra Island. Another merchant vessel in the vicinity of the products tanker reported seeing the vessel applying self protection measures and the suspected pirates aborted their attack.

The next day, Monday 22 November, the MV SEA SPIRIT, a crude-oil tanker, reported that two skiffs were suspiciously closing on the vessel, approximately 330 nautical miles North from Port Victoria. The Captain later reported he was under attack by five skiffs, using RPGs and small arms. The merchant vessel increased speed and undertook evasive maneuvers, which discouraged the Pirate Action Group.

Early this morning, Tuesday 23 November, the MV CARMENCITA stated it was attacked by two skiffs approximately 250 nautical miles North East of Socotra Island. The Master of the bulk carrier got prepared to muster all non essential personnel in a safe room and activated self-protection measures. The suspected pirates eventually abandoned their attack. 

Despite damage to some of the vessels, all ships that had been under attack over this period reported they were safe and continuing their respective voyages. These seven vessels are the witnesses to the success of the scrupulous implementation of BMPs.

It is reminded that evasive maneuvers and increasing speed are only part of the measures recommended in the BMP booklet. “The Best Management Practices booklet should perhaps not be called ‘Best’ Management Practice but ‘Minimum’ Management Practice: self protection measures and ongoing vigilance remain, today, the most effective measures against piracy” said Colonel Richard Spencer, Chief of Staff of EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters.

MV NORTHERN VALOUR

On 18 November, in the early evening, a Pirate Action Group failed in its attempt to pirate the MV NORTHERN VALOUR in the Somali Basin, thanks to use of Best Management Practices.  

The MV NORTHERN VALOUR reported it was under attack by pirates and been fired upon with machine guns and an RPG, approximately 400 nautical miles (750 kilometres) South East from Mogadishu (Somalia). As the two skiffs approached to within 200 metres, the vessel’s master increased speed to 21 knots, mustered all non essential personnel in a safe room and activated self-protection measures.

The skiffs, outpaced by the vessel’s speed, eventually abandoned their attack. The Antigua & Barbuda-flagged MV NORTHERN VALOUR evaded the attack and later confirmed it was safe.

This demonstrates once again that the application of all recommendations contained in the Best Management Practices booklet makes a significant difference in preventing a ship becoming a victim of piracy.

The whaler was successfully intercepted and four suspected pirates found to be onboard.

On 13 November, the EU NAVFOR warship SPS INFANTA CRISTINA intercepted a whaler with four suspected pirates on board.  The whaler was located 200 nautical miles off the Somali Coast.  The SPS INFANTA CRISTINA was patrolling the area as part of the EU NAVFOR’s Operation ATALANTA. 

The whaler, which had been initially spotted by an EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA), was found to be operating with a skiff and was suspected of being a support vessel for pirate activities in the region.

The Spanish warship launched its Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) with a specialist boarding team to intercept both vessels.  The whaler was successfully intercepted and four suspected pirates found to be onboard. The skiff fled the scene.

There was insufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution.  Therefore the whaler was destroyed and the four suspected pirates were returned to Somalia. This disruption has hampered pirate action and avoided highly probable attacks on merchant and vulnerable vessels.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and to protect vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, and to deter and disrupt piracy. EU NAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

Picture Gallery:

MV YUAN XIANG

On 13 November 2010, the MV YUAN XIANG, a Panamanian-flagged vessel, was pirated in the Somali Basin, approximately 650 nautical miles (1,200 kilometres) East of Salalah (Oman).

The MV YUAN XIANG is reported to have 29 crewmembers onboard, all of whom are Chinese.

Including the MV YUAN XIANG, pirates are currently holding 21 vessels with 498 hostages.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EU NAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

The 43 meters long vessel was in transit from the Comoros to Dar Es Salam when it was attacked. On the morning of 3 November 2010, the Master of the MV ALY ZOULFECAR reported that pirates were on board.

The MV ALY ZOULFECAR has 29 people onboard, of which 9 are crewmembers and 20 passengers. The crew consists of 1 Tanzanian, 4 Comorian and 4 Madagascar. The passengers consist of 12 Tanzanian and 8 Comorian. This makes a total of 13 Tanzanian, 12 Comorian and 4 Malagasy on board the pirated vessel.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EU NAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.

MV GO TRADER

On the morning of 30 October 2010, the Malta-flagged MV GO TRADER was reported under attack from one skiff approximately 280 nautical miles (520 kilometres) south east from Salalah, Oman. 

Pirates had managed to board the vessel; however, after a couple of hours they eventually abandoned it, after having been unable to get control over the crew who had locked themselves in the ship’s “citadel”.

The 24 crewmembers are reported safe.

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EU NAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. In addition, EU NAVFOR monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.