Somalia - NE and Eastern Coast Thirty seven incidents have been reported since 15.03.05. Heavily armed pirates are now attacking ships further away from the coast. Ships not making scheduled calls at Somali ports are advised to keep at least 200 nm from the Somali coast.January 28 2006 at 2315 LT at Chittagong 'B'anchorage, Bangladesh. Robbers boarded a general cargo ship at forecastle and stole ship's stores. Duty crew raised alarm and robbers escaped. Port control informed and a coast guard on boat arrived for investigation.
January 27 006 at 0645 LT in position 11:55.0N - 051:19.0E, off Cape Guardafui, Somalia. Five pirates armed with machine guns and rocket launchers in a speedboat fired upon a bulk carrier underway. Master took evasive manoeuvres and activated SSAS; crew mustered and started fire hoses. Pirates continued firing causing damage to bridge windows and accommodation. They restocked ammunition from a nearby wooden fishing boat and resumed firing. Another black steel hulled fishing boat came close and also fired at the ship. A coalition warship responded to the alert and at 0740 LT a helicopter arrived and pirates ceased firing. At 0810 LT a coalition warship arrived at the scene.
January 25.2006 at 0152 UTC in position 13:27.6N - 042:59.0E, southern Red Sea. An unlit speedboat chased a container ship underway. Boat increased speed to 35 knots and came within 1.5 nm. Ship altered course and crew directed search lights. Craft reduced speed and aborted chase.
| And from the 'Better Late Than Never Desk': |
November 11 2006 at 1600 LT in position 04:49N - 005:21E, 8 miles SW of Dodo River, off EA oilfield, Nigeria. 40 persons armed with guns in three canoes boarded a pollution control ship underway. They vandalized ship's equipment and kidnapped four expatriate personnel. The ship was engaged in a security role with 14 naval personnel onboard. So far the pirates have made no demand. Authorities informed.