ONI World Wide Threat to Shipping Report for 13 April 2005

The latest ONI WWTTSR is here (click on the date). A couple of highlights:

2. SOMALIA: M/V (TIM BUCK) was boarded 10 Apr at 1000 local time while underway in position 03:24N, 048.17E, approximately 55 NM off the coast of Somalia. Pirates, armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons, set fire to a starboard rescue boat but failed to penetrate inside the ship. The crew acted in strict compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) in this emergency situation. The fire was localized. There were no injuries to the crew and no goods were taken. The vessel sustained a small amount of damage.
ONI NOTE: The long distance from shore at which recent attacks
have occurred off the Somali coastline demonstrates an increased tenacity by local pirates. All vessels transiting this area should take precautions. (INFO, ONI).

3. SOMALIA: An unidentified general cargo ship reports an
attempted boarding 31 Mar at 1330 UTC while underway in position
00:40.5N, 048:49.1E, approximately 220NM off Somalia, by six
persons armed with guns and grenades in two speedboats. Ship sent
distress message, increased speed and took evasive maneuvers.
Speedboats aborted attempted boarding at 1520 UTC (IMB).

Of course, read the whole enjoyable thing.