Somali Pirates: Another Fishing Boat Captured and Turned Into a "Mother Ship" and more...

NATO Shipping Center reports:

October 21 2010

WARNING Somali Basin

Latitude: 09°45 S Longitude: 039°56 E

Alert number 434/ 2010.

At 210627 UTC a merchant vessel was under attack by pirates in position 09°45S 039°56E. The vessel was under attack by 2 skiffs.

Shots were fired. The vessel evaded the attack by performing Best Management Pratices. Vessel is safe.

***This vessel managed to evade hijack***

The Pirate action group is still in the area.

----------------------------

October 21 2010

WARNING Somali Basin

Latitude: 07°17N Longitude: 050°01E

Alert number 433 / 2010.

At 202303 UTC an unknown dhow departed from a pirate camp. Dhow will possible conduct mothership operation for piracy. Last known position is 07°17N 050°01E course 087° speed 08 knots.

----------------------------

October 19 2010

WARNING INDIAN OCEAN

Latitude: 02°02N Longitude: 050°13E

Alert number 432 / 2010.

At 191857Z a merchant vessel was attacked by pirates in position 0202N 05013E. The vessel was under attack by 2 skiffs. Shots were fired. The vessel evaded the attack by performing Best Management Practices. Vessel is safe.

----------------------------

October 19 2010

WARNING Somali Basin

Latitude: 11°00N Longitude: 61°00E

Alert number 431 / 2010. (update for ALERT number 430)

At 182100 UTC a Pirate Action Group consisting of a Fishing Vessel Tai Yuan 227 has been sighted in position 1100N 06100E.

**THIS FISHING VESSEL IS PIRATED AND IS OPERATING AS A MOTHER SHIP**

More:

Golden Wave

FV Golden Wave has been pirated and maybe used by pirates for mothership operations. Golden Wave’s last known position was 03°03N 047°58E heading in a southerly direction. It is assessed that it may be heading for the seas between the coast of Tanzania and Madagascar.

Masters should note that the Golden Wave is a white hulled fishing vessel, approximately 50 metres long, with the registration numbers / Call sign DTAV4 painted in large black letters on the hull.

Picture of the FV Tai Yuan 227

The last known position of Tai Yuan 227 was 11°00N 061°00E Heading towards the Somali coast.

UPDATE 22 OCT 2010:

From the International Maritime Bureau Live Piracy Report more reports:

21.10.2010: 1600 UTC: Posn: 04:20.5S – 040:25.0E, Around 43nm east of Mombasa, Kenya (Off Somalia). Taking advantage of a moonlight night four pirates in a skiff chased and came alongside a product tanker underway. Alert duty officer heard the sound of the boat engine and upon investigation noticed the pirates attempting to board his vessel. Alarm sounded and speed increased. The skiff aborted the attack and attempted once again after 20 minutes. Due to effective preventive measures, the skiff aborted the attempts. A fishing vessel suspected to be the mother ship was noticed around 6nm off.

21.10.2010: 0825 UTC: Posn: 09:45.9S – 039:56.9E, Around 10nm off Tanzania coast. Eleven armed pirates in two skiffs chased and opened fire on a container ship underway. The master enforced all anti piracy measures and contacted the Dar es Salaam port authorities for assistance. Due to effective preventive measures, the skiff aborted the attempt. Vessel sustained some damages due to RPG fire. Crew reported safe. [Eagle1 note: Same as first NATO incident above but with more detail]

As noted above by the IMB, there is a full moon on 22 October 2010 and this aids the pirates in their work. The weather is alos good for pirates in small boats.