Somali Pirates: Nab Japanese Ship and Filipino Crew, Remain Very Active in Indian Ocean

EU MSC(HOA) reports here:

On the afternoon of 10 October, the owners of the Panama-flagged MV IZUMI reported that they had received an automatically released distress signal indicating that the vessel was likely to be under pirate attack.

The Danish warship HDMS ESBERN SNARE of the NATO counter piracy force was dispatched to intercept and investigate.

In the early hours of 11 October the captain of the vessel made contact with the Danish warship, stating that pirates were in charge of the MV IZUMI.

EU NAVFOR French warship FS FLOREAL is now monitoring the pirated vessel which is presently 170 nautical miles South of Mogadishu.

The MV IZUMI, deadweight 20,170 tonnes, has a crew of 20, all Filipinos.

More from the AP here:

The Izumi is operated by NYK-Hinode Line, Ltd and was traveling between Singapore and Mombasa, said Yuki Shimoda, an official at Japan's Transport Ministry. It was not immediately known what cargo the 14,152-ton Izumi was carrying.

Somali pirates now hold 18 ships and 389 crew. The sailors are not usually hurt or killed but can be held for months while their captors negotiate a multimillion-dollar ransom.

In addition to this ship capture, the pirates have unsuccessfully attacked other ships in the Indian Ocean, as is this attack on Sunday, 10 Oct 2010, reported by the IMB here and on the map nearby:

10.10.2010: 1115 UTC: Posn: 04:59.4N – 067:06.4E Around 1300 nm ExN of Mogadishu,(Indian Ocean) off Somalia.

Four pirates armed with AK 47 and RPG chased and opened fire on a bulk carrier underway. The master enforced all anti piracy measures and contacted the 24 hour IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) for assistance. Duty officer at the IMB PRC immediately contacted the relevant authorities requesting assistance for crew and vessel and also broadcast a warning to all ships. Due to effective anti piracy preventive measures onboard, the skiff aborted the attempt. All crew safe. Vessel sustained damages.

NATO Shipping Center information:

SOMALIA PIRACY UPDATE 11 October 2010

October 11 2010
WARNING SOMALI BASIN
Latitude: 09 52 S Longitude: 040 08 E
Alert number 425 / 2010. ---ALERT UPDATE---
Reference previous Alert number 423 / 2010.
At 1848 UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 09 52 S 04008 E.
***This vessel managed to evade hijack***
The Pirate action group is still in the area.
----------------------------
October 10 2010
WARNING Somali Basin
Latitude: 01 39S Longitude: 042 05E
Alert number 424 / 2010.
At 1309 UTC a merchant vessel is Hijacked by pirates in position 01 39S 042 05E .
-----------------------------
October 10 2010
WARNING Somali Basin Tanzanian Coast
Latitude: 09 52S Longitude: 04008E
Alert number 423 / 2010.
At 1848 UTC a Merchant Vessel is currently under attack by 1 skiff 5POB in position 09 52S 04008E.
-----------------------------
October 10 2010
WARNING Indian Ocean
Latitude: 04 49 N Longitude: 067 06 E
Alert number 422 / 2010.
At 101134Z a merchant vessel was attacked by pirates in position 04 49 N 067 06 E. Vessel was attacked by 1 skiff with white hull and 4 POB. Shots were fired. All crew is unharmed. Vessel is safe.

And a NATO warning here:

Updated Oct 11th morning

As the monsoon continues to abate in northeast and southwest Somali Basin and the Arabian Sea, the risk of pirate attacks on merchant vessels also increases. Temporarily poor weather, particularly along the central Somali Coast will continue to constrain pirates’ activities in the short term.

In the northeast Somali Basin it is likely that at least one pirated dhow is active in the shipping lanes as evidenced by the reported approach of a suspect skiff on the MV ZIM ATLANTIC approximately 200nm north east of Socotra Island on 05 Oct.

To the east, reporting indicates that a pirate mother ship is operating within an area of 200nm radius from 06 degrees 50 minutes north and 65 degrees 00 minutes east. We assess that this vessel is probably the FV TAI YAUN 227, which is under the control of pirates. Masters should note that the FV TAI YUAN 227 is also a white hulled fishing vessel, approximately 50 metres long, with the registration numbers BH3Z87 painted in large black letters on the hull.

News

Oct 10th MV Kavo Portland was attacked in position 04°49N 067°06E, but luckily evaded the attackers, it is assessed that the pirate action group is linked to the pirates onboard FV Tai Yuan 227. Pirates maybe active in an area of more than 100 NM from the position above, mariners are advised to transit the area with caution.