Weekly Maritime Crime and Piracy Update: Week of 24 Mar 2011

Global Maritime Crime and Piracy Summary (source: Office of Naval Intelligence):

ARABIAN SEA:

• A product tanker was robbed 25 Mar at 2215 UTC while anchored in position 09:56N – 076:05E, approximately 9 NM southwest of Cochin, India.  Five robbers used the anchor chain to board the vessel.  The robbers stole the ship’s stores. (IMB)

• Crude oil tanker (ZIRKU) was attacked 28 Mar at 0613 UTC while underway in position 15:36N – 057:04E, approximately 237NM northeast of Socotra Island, Yemen. The vessel was attacked by two skiffs with small arms and RPGs.  Vessel was reported hijacked 28 Mar at 0653 UTC while underway in position 13:35N – 057:10E, approximately 190NM southeast of Salalah, Oman. (Commercial Sources)
• Bulk carrier (FALCON TRADER II) was boarded 24 Mar at 0737 UTC while underway in position 22:26N – 063:40E, approximately 230NM east of Sur, Oman.  The vessel was attacked by a skiff that had tried attacking the vessel earlier in the day.  The crew locked themselves in the citadel. Pakistani navy destroyer (BABUR) responded to the vessel’s distress call.  Pirates left the vessel before 0500 UTC 25 Mar. (UKMTO, Commercial Sources)

GULF OF ADEN:

• Oil product tanker (RUDEEF GNA) was attacked 29 Mar at 0612 UTC while underway in position 13:30N – 047:30E, approximately 350NM northwest of Socotra Island, Yemen. The vessel was attacked by one skiff that placed a ladder on the vessel but was deterred when the onboard security team fired at the skiff. (UKMTO, Commercial Sources)

INDIAN OCEAN:

• Indian Navy offshore patrol vessel (INS SUVARNA) was fired upon by the hijacked fishing vessel (MORTEZA) 26 Mar at 0750 UTC while underway in position 09:51N – 067:05E, approximately 400NM east of Lakhadweep Islands, India.  The MORTEZA was being used as a mothership with skiffs on tow.  After repeated attempts to communicate with the MORTEZA, the MORTEZA fired on the warship.  The INS SUVARNA then returned fire, disabling the MORTEZA.  The Indian warships picked up the sailors (12 Iranian and 4 Pakistani) and 16 pirates and took them to Mumbai for further investigation by police. (Commercial Sources)

SOUTH CHINA SEA:

• A chemical tanker was chased by two speed boats 25 Mar at 1340 UTC while underway in position 03:11N 105:23E, approximately 15 NM off Palau Mangkai. The speedboats approached at 22 knots; the tanker increased its speed and evaded the speedboats, which broke off pursuit after 70 minutes.  The vessel experienced a suspicious approach by a speedboat 25 Mar at 0720 UTC while underway in position 02:03N 104:51E, approximately 50 NM northeast of Bintan Island.  The tanker evaded the speedboat, and the attempt was aborted after 25 minutes. (Commercial Sources)

 

Indian Ocean Piracy Forecast: Week of 31 March 2011:

Weather conditions this week are expected to be mild and conducive to small boat operations throughout the piracy operating area, to include the southern Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel.  Mariners are advised the Arabian Sea, Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, and Mozambique Channel are high risk areas for piracy.  When transiting the region, mariners are encouraged to contact UKMTO and all appropriate authorities.