Latest ICC CCS Piracy Report (to 22 Sept 08)

The latest ICC CCS Piracy Report (to 22 Sept 08) cn be found here. Not surprisingly, Somalia dominates. Highlights:

21.09.2008: 0310 UTC: Posn: 02:30.0N - 051:59.5E, 250 nm off Somali coast, Somalia.
Four pirates in three speedboats boarded a bulk carrier underway. They took hostage 19 crewmembers and hijacked the ship. Owners are unable to contact the ship.

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20.09.2008: 1700 UTC: Posn: 02:37N - 051:25E, 250 nm Off Somali coast, Somalia.
Three pirates armed with machine guns and RPG in a white coloured fast boat chased and fired upon a tanker underway. Master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres, sent distress message, raised alarm, crew mustered and activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted the attempted boarding after 30 minutes.

18.09.2008: 0250 UTC: Posn: 02:22.22N - 050:55.26E, 250 nm off Mogadishu, Somalia.
Five armed pirates in a speedboat attacked a bulk carrier underway. They took hostage 25 crewmembers and hijacked the ship.

18.09.2008: 0618 UTC: Posn: 14:13.0N - 049:59.0E, Gulf of Aden.
About eight pirates armed with guns boarded a bulk carrier drifting for engine problems. Pirates took hostage 25crewmembers and hijacked the ship.

18.09.2008: 0630 UTC: Posn: 13:54N - 049:31E, 40 nm se of Al Mukalla, Gulf of Aden.
Two white hull boats with several persons onboard approached aggressively a chemical tanker underway with intend to board. Master raised alarm, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and contacted coalition forces. SSAS activated and crew mustered. The boats keep on following and at 0700 UTC, the boats aborted the attempt.

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15.09.2008: 10:47 UTC: Posn: 13:33N – 049:09E, Gulf of Aden.
About 15-armed pirates boarded and hijacked a chemical tanker underway. The vessel enroute to Mumbai, India, was carrying chemical products. 22 crewmembers have been taken hostage. Pirates have sailed the vessel into Somali waters. Further information awaited.

13.09.2008: 0440 UTC: Posn: 13:32.5N - 048:47.5E, Gulf of Aden.
Speed boats chased a chemical tanker underway with intend to board. Master increased speed and took evasive manoeuvres to prevent boarding, altered course southward to rendezvous with a coalition warship. Speedboats approached as close as two cables before aborting the attempt.

03.09.2008: 1436 UTC: Posn: 13:36.9N – 049:12.2E, Gulf of Aden.
Two speedboats with five armed pirates, in each, attempted to board a bulk carrier underway. Master activated SSAS alert, increased speed, altered course and mustered crew. Pirates open fire on the ship. Master informed a coalition war ship who immediately responded and came to assist. On sighting the warship, the pirates moved away. The warship escorted the ship.