Pirates attack ships off Somalia, Nigeria and Ecuador
ICC Commercial Crime Service
Pirate attack roundup: On Nov. 2, around 330 miles south of Mogadishu, Somalia, two skiffs with six armed pirates in each boat chased and fired upon a bulk carrier underway. Pirates were unable to hook their ladder onto the ship’s side. Master increased speed and carried out evasive manoeuvres. Fire hoses activated. After 20 minutes the pirates gave up. Ship sustained bullet holes but no casualties. Also on Nov. 2, around 600 nm SSE of Mogadishu, Somalia, One skiff with five pirates chased and fired upon a chemical tanker underway while two more skiffs were stood by in the vicinity. Ship increased speed and enforced evasive manoeuvres and moved away. Ship sustained bullet holes
On Oct. 31, in the Gulf of Aden, two skiffs chased and fire upon bulk carrier underway. The pirates attempted to board the vessel but due to effective anti piracy measures, the pirates aborted the attempt and moved away.
On Oct. 30, in the Lagos anchorage, Nigeria, nine heavily armed pirates in a speedboat boarded a bulk carrier and opened fire at her. They took hostage all crewmembers, assaulted some of the crew and damaged the ship’s communication equipments. Under guns threat, they stole ship’s cash, crew cash and ship’s property and crew personal belongings and escaped. Five crew injured. Nigerian navy informed.Also in the Lagos anchorage on Oct. 30, six pirates armed with guns and knives in a speedboat boarded a chemical tanker drifting. Master raised alarm, activated SSAS, contacted Lagos port control and crew activated fire hoses. Pirates started firing at the bridge windows and accommodation doors. They were unable to get entry into the accommodation. The pirates managed to enter into the bridge and took hostage all crewmembers. They threatened the crew with guns, assaulted some of the crewmembers and damaged the communication equipments. Under guns threat, they stole ship’s cash, crew cash and personal belongings. Pirates locked all the crew in a cabin and escaped.
On Oct. 29 off Somalia, armed pirates in two skiffs approached a fishing vessel underway from both sides. The vessel took evasive maneuvers and sent a distress message which was received by the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and relayed to the coalition naval forces to render assistance. A warship was dispatched to the location. The pirates managed to board and hijack the vessel.
On Oct. 27, east of Mogadishu, Somalia, seven pirates in two skiffs chased and fired upon a fishing vessel underway. Vessel raised alarm and informed the coalition forces. The armed security team onboard the vessel fired warning shots and the pirates aborted the attempted attack. A coalition helicopter arrived and fired warnings shots to stop both skiffs. The skiffs stopped and were seen throwing items overboard. A warship arrived and boarded the skiffs.
And on Oct. 26, near Guayaquil, Ecuador, five pirates armed with guns and knives boarded a container ship underway. They broke open containers, stole goods, and escaped in their boat. Coast guard informed. Two patrol boats responded and detained the pirate boat.