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Africa Horn |
Panama-flagged Oil tanker escapes Somali pirate attack |
2008-09-17 |
(SomaliNet) A Kenyan maritime body said on Sunday that a large Panama-flagged oil tanker operated by a Japanese company had narrowly escaped an attack by Somali pirates. "A Panama-flagged oil tanker, MT Golden Elizabeth, was attacked yesterday (Sunday) by eight pirates in a small wooden boat in the Gulf of Aden," said Andrew Mwangura, of the Kenyan branch of the Seafarers' Assistance Programme. "The tanker took evasive navigation and the pirates aborted the attack. No casualty was reported," he said, adding that the tanker was continuing its journey and communicating with the US navy. Mwangura said 13 Filipino crew were on board the tanker. Somali pirates are holding several ships in the area. In recent months, a multinational taskforce based in Djibouti has been patrolling parts of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, where a pirate mothership is believed to be operating. |
Posted by:Fred |
#7 They did, rescuing two French citizens (Malaysia and Germany provided some assistance). |
Posted by: Pappy 2008-09-17 15:55 |
#6 I thought the French DID just do something around there. |
Posted by: liberalhawk 2008-09-17 15:07 |
#5 How about letting the Panama Navy protect them? I sense an outsourcing opportunity for the French Navy. |
Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-09-17 14:23 |
#4 Oil tankers aren't exactly turn-on-a-dime capable. Takes a half-hour and a couple of miles to stop one from cruise speed. |
Posted by: mojo 2008-09-17 13:22 |
#3 Yep, they're probably as impressive as the Liberian Navy. |
Posted by: Gabby Cussworth 2008-09-17 12:03 |
#2 How about letting the Panama Navy protect them? |
Posted by: JFM 2008-09-17 11:49 |
#1 One guy with fairly modest weaponry and training should have no trouble defending a big ship against a small wooden boat with 8 pirates. For that matter, don't 'evade', engage and make them evade and crush their little bathtub toy if you can. |
Posted by: Glenmore 2008-09-17 09:28 |