Weekly Piracy Report: Bulk Carrier Comes Under Fire

HOA Pirate Activity, 21– 27 June

Weekly Incidents by Region: June 21-27

INDIAN OCEAN–EAST AFRICA:

YEMEN: Bulk Carrier was fired upon on 27 June at 14:22 N – 054:38 E 110 nm North of Socotra Island, Yemen. Pirates in a dhow approached the bulk carrier underway. The master raised alarm and took evasive manoeuvres. As the dhow approached, the onboard security team fired warning shots. The dhow continued its approach and ignored the warning shots. Two pirates armed with guns hiding under a blanket fired upon the ship. There was a fire exchange between the security team and the pirates until the pirates aborted the attack. No injuries to crew were reported. The ships master reported the wind direction and force as SSW x 7.(IMB)

OMAN: LPG Tanker was approached on 25 June at 25:15 N – 057:16 E 48 nm East of Fujairah, Oman. Pirates armed with guns, in two skiffs approached an LPG tanker underway and closed within 0.6 nm. The master fired warning flares and pyrotechnics, increased speed and maneuvered the vessel to keep the skiffs right astern. UKMTO and naval authorities in vicinity was informed. An Iranian Naval warship responded and escorted the tanker until the skiffs were clear. The vessels crew was later reported safe. (IMB)

SOUTHEAST ASIA:

BANGLADESH: Container Ship boarded on 26 June at 22:10 N – 091:42 E, Chittagong Anchorage ‘B’, Bangladesh. Two pirates armed with knives boarded the anchored container ship just after a heavy rain shower. One of the pirates attacked the deck watch-keeper at the aft station that immediately reported the incident to the bridge and managed to run inside the accommodation. The alarm was later raised. The crew mustered and observed the 15 pirates in the boat were leaving with stolen ship stores. The master informed the Coast Guard who responded immediately. (IMB)

Piracy Weather Forecast: June 28-July 5

GULF OF ADEN: West-southwesterly winds of 8 – 12 knots with seas of 3 – 6 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-westerly winds of 10 – 15 knots and seas of 3 – 5 feet which may increase to 5 – 7 feet.

SOMALI COAST: Southwest Monsoon conditions continue to influence this area, with south-southwesterly winds of 20 – 25 knots and seas between 8 and 10 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-southwesterly winds of 20 – 25 knots with seas of 8 – 10 feet.

ARABIAN SEA: Westerly winds of 18 – 24 knots and seas of 9 – 12 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: West-southwesterly winds of 18 – 24 knots with seas of 9 – 12 feet.

CENTRAL AFRICAN COAST/INDIAN OCEAN: South-southeasterly winds of 16 – 20 knots with seas of 5 – 7 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: South-southeasterly winds of 14 – 18 knots and seas of 6 – 8 feet.

MOZAMBIQUE CHANNEL: The normal high and low pressure interaction around 40 degrees South will continue to influence the area, with east-southeasterly winds in the northern channel of 8 – 12 knots and seas of 5 – 7 feet. In the southern channel, there will be south-southeasterly winds of 12 – 15 knots and seas of 7 – 9 feet. EXTENDED FORECAST: In the northern channel, east-southeasterly winds of 10 – 15 knots and seas of 4 – 6 feet. In the southern channel winds, expect south-southeasterly winds of 8 – 12 knots and seas of 4 – 6 feet.

SURFACE CURRENTS: The currents within the Gulf of Aden average around 0.5 – 1 knot. Current speeds along the Somali basin, continuing south off the northern Kenya coastline until about 10 degrees South will average approximately 2 – 3 knots. The Mozambique Channel has an average current of 0.25 – 1.25 knots.

This report is brought to you by the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence Maritime OPINTEL Report