Piracy & Ship Attacks--March 16, 2010
Latest reports on pirates and ship seizures.
• Pirates Release Hijacked Tanker
Somali pirates released a Singapore-operated chemical tanker and its 28 crew members after holding the vessel captive for four months.
The 22,000 dwt MV Theresa VIII was reported as hijacked on November 19, 2009, northwest of the Seychelles. After a ransom of over $3 million was paid Tuesday, the pirates released the vessel.
The crew and ship are in reportedly good condition and had not asked for assistance, but warships monitored the situation.
• Fishing Boat Averts Pirate Attack
A gang of pirates attempted an attack on a Spanish fishing vessel Sunday, but a security team aboard the boat fought off the intruders, with no injuries reported.
30 sailors and four security officers were on board the Txori Argi when a mother ship and two skiffs with pirates were seen about 80 miles from Mahe, the largest island of the Seychelles archipelagos. The pirates chased the fishing boat, which provoked the security personnel to open fire.
The pirates drew closer to the boat, within less than a mile, but did not retaliate gun shots and fled after the second round of shots was fired at their skiffs.
The crew and security team of the Spanish vessel are in good condition and planned to continue fishing for tuna. The Spanish military was also notified of the incident.
Shipowners transiting the waters off the Seychelles and in the Indian Ocean were authorized to carry armed security officers on board to deal with pirate attacks. The European Union has also deployed vessels for security in the area but utilizing those to protect fishing boats was not included in the mandate.