Latest ICC CCS Piracy Report (to 3 Nov 08)

The latest ICC Commercial Crime Services Piracy Report (to 3 Nov 08. Highlights:

28.10.2008: 1500 LT: Posn: 12:54N - 046:40E, Gulf of Aden. Twelve pirates in three fast attack boats were noticed departing from a white coloured fishing vessel (pirate mother vessel). Master took evasive manoeuvres, activated SSAS, sent mayday messages and crew mustered in a safe compartment. For five minutes, the pirates aggressively fired towards the accommodation of the tanker and attempted to board. A coalition warship responded to the mayday messages and sent an aircraft to the scene. Master maintained the evasive manoeuvres. The pirates briefly stopped the attack to re-grouped and then attacked again. The aircraft made a very low pass over the pirates and then dropped some ordinance on them. The attempted attack was aborted and the situation became safe. After 20 minutes, a French helicopter arrived to check the situation and master informed them about the pirate mother vessel's location. Crew and vessel safe.

28.10.2008: 1350 UTC: Posn: 13:17.08N - 048: 35.43E, Gulf of Aden.
Five pirates in a small fast speedboat approached a general cargo ship underway. Master raised alarm, took evasive manoeuvres and crew activated fire hoses. Pirates fired at the ship with automatic weapons and the crew took shelter. They tried to board the ship using a ladder but the pirate boat's skipper fell overboard and they aborted the boarding and rescued him. Master activated SSAS and contacted the coalition warships. During a second approach to the vessel, the pirate boat's engine failed. A coalition warship responded and advised the master to steer a course towards them. The warship escorted the ship and later the ship resumed voyage. Crew and vessel safe.
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29.10.2008: 1052 UTC: Posn:13:00.15N – 046:40.73E: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with automatic weapons in two speedboats opened fire on a bulk carrier underway. The pirates boarded and hijacked the vessel and took the 20 crew as hostage. They then sailed the vessel to an undisclosed location in Somalia. The vessel was carrying a cargo of iron ore pellets from Pointe Noire, Canada to Rizhao, China when it was hijacked.