Articles
Pirates Attack Two Tankers in Two Days
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
On Saturday, suspected pirates seized the chemical oil tanker, MV Fairchem Bogey, from its anchorage at the port in the mouth of the Gulf of Aden in front of the coast guard. The pirates took the ship, along with its 21-member Indian crew, and are now in Somali waters according to Mumbai Anglo Eastern Ship Management. The Master of the Fairchem Bogey has managed to stay in contact with the tanker manager, confirming the safety of all crewmembers and added they have yet to make contact with the hijackers. Seizing an anchored ship is a bold tactic for the pirates, as the Omani Coast Guard approached the ship shortly after being boarded by the pirates. The Omani officials backed off after the pirates warned that the crew might be harmed if they interfered.
Shockingly, only one day later, another chemical oil tanker was pursued by pirates in the Omani port of Salalah on Sunday. This tanker, however, was lucky enough to foil the attempted hijack. The International Maritime Bureau’s anti-crime arm reported that pirates aboard a skiff chased and fired at the tanker, as well as several attempts to board the vessel. The pirates finally aborted the attack, as the tanker exhibited many evasive maneuvers to block them from boarding.
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The following is issued on behalf of the sponsors of Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy (BMP4).
LAUNCH OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 4
The fourth edition of the ‘Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy’ (BMP4) has been launched.
Supported by all major shipping associations, the Best Management Practices
provides invaluable information to help all shipping companies, ship’s masters and crew to fully prepare their ship for transit through the High Risk Area, in order to avoid, deter or delay piracy attack.
Now in its fourth edition, the handy-size booklet provides important updates and new information since the issue of BMP3 in 2010. Changes include a section on the three fundamental requirements of BMP 4, an aide memoire on how to avoid being a victim of piracy, a checklist for company planning and, expanded guidance on the possible use of Private Maritime Security Contractors.
BMP 4 is fully supported and endorsed by EUNAVFOR, NATO, CMF, UKMTO and
INTERPOL. Since they were first published, implementation of Best Management Practices has consistently proved to be the best defence against Somalia based
piracy.
Complimentary hard copies of BMP4 will be distributed from September and soft
copies will be available for free download from each of the websites listed below.
