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martiandrifter01
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Mar 28, 2008
Posts: 784
Location: Xanthe Terra, Sol IV/Mars
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 Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:36 am Post subject: Supertanker Hijacked! |
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From the International Chamber of Commerce's Commercial Crime Services:
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VLCC hijacked by pirates
18 November 2008
MT Sirius Star: The largest ship successfully hijacked
MT Sirius Star: The largest ship successfully hijacked
Following on from a spate of piratical activity, a very-large crude carrier (VLCC) has reportedly been hijacked off the East coast of Africa
It has been reported that the MT Sirius Star was attacked some 450nm south-east of Mogadishu. The Liberian flagged vessel is the largest to be hijacked to date, with deadweight (DWT) of 319,430 tons. Furthermore, the attack has taken place further from the coast than any before. Still onboard the ship are 25 crew.
The vessel, owned by Saudi Arabian interests, was thought to be carrying a cargo of crude oil when she was hijacked on 15 November 2008.
ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Director Pottengal Mukundan stated: “Although this is just the latest of a large spike in attacks off the east coast of Africa, this incident is significant on two counts. Firstly, this is the largest vessel to have been hijacked. Secondly, the distance from the shore would suggest a highly organised operation- this is not mere opportunism.”
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) has, in 2008, reported a large volume of piratical activity off East Africa, principally centred around the Gulf of Aden. In response to the worsening situation, several navies have dispatched warships to the region in order to safeguard this vital trade route.
This most recent incident echoes a trend of attacks many miles off the Horn of Africa, with pirates reportedly operating from a ‘mother ship’. This attack, however, is at least 100nm further out than any previously reported. Furthermore, a vessel of this size has never before been successfully hijacked.
According to the PRC’s most recent figures for the Gulf of Aden and East coast of Somalia, so far in 2008 there have been 92 attacks on vessels- 36 of which have been successful hijackings. There are currently 14 vessels being held with 268 crew hostage. Between 10 and 16 November 2008, alone, there were 11 attacks in this region with three vessels hijacked and another four fired upon.
“This criminal phenomenon is getting out of control. Unless firm action is taken against the pirates and their motherships from which attacks are launched, the frequency of these attacks will only continue,” said Mr Mukundan.
The IMB urges all shipmasters, owners / managers and those involved in the industry to report piratical or armed robbery incidents to the PRC. The PRC is the only 24 hour manned centre able to receive and process reports of attacks from around the world. This timely, first hand information will enable the IMB to identify high-risk areas to the governments concerned and is the first essential step in the response chain.
For further information please contact:
Captain Pottengal Mukundan
Director, IMB |
The site also features a 'live' Piracy map.
(Edited for sloppy keyboarding)
Last edited by martiandrifter01 on Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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martiandrifter01
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Joined: Mar 28, 2008
Posts: 784
Location: Xanthe Terra, Sol IV/Mars
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:52 am Post subject: |
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The rest of the news CNN doesn't give you...
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Weekly Piracy Report
11 - 17 November 2008
Suspicious crafts
None reported
Recently reported incidents
* 16.11.2008: 0430 UTC: Posn: 04:08N - 006:50E, Bonny outer road anchorage, Nigeria.
Six robbers armed with automatic weapons opened fire at a refrigerated cargo ship at anchor. Robbers in a speedboat circled 4 times around the ship and left. No injury to crew.
* 13.11.2008: 1000 UTC: Mamonal ‘A’ anchorage, Cartagena, Colombia.
Robbers armed with gun and knives boarded a cement carrier at anchor. They tied up one crewmember and stole ship’s stores. Coast guard boarded vessel for investigation.
* 15.11.2008: 0915 UTC: Posn: 12:50.69N - 046:42.86E, Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates attacked and hijacked a chemical tanker underway. Further details are awaited.
* 15.11.2008: 0723 UTC: Posn: 04:41S - 048:43E, 450 nm south east Mogadishu.
Armed pirates attacked and hijacked a tanker underway. Further details are awaited.
* 14.11.2008: 2134 UTC: Posn: 04:25.6S - 048:58.5E, off southern Somalia.
Pirates heavily armed with automatic weapons and RPG in two speedboats chased and fired upon a container ship underway. Master increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and crew activated fire hoses. Pirates aborted the attempted attack at 2256 UTC. Ship sustained damages due to gunshots and RPG fire. No injuries to crew.
* 14.11.2008: 0635 UTC: Posn: 13:21.3N – 047:18.86E, Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with automatic weapons in three small speedboats approached a chemical tanker underway. Master contacted coalition warship and took evasive manoeuvres. The speedboats spread out and approached the vessel at high speed. The pirates failed in their attempt to board the vessel.
* 13.11.2008: 0630 LT: Posn: 13:28.0N – 049:21.5E, Gulf of Aden.
Six pirates in a fast speedboat approached a bulk carrier underway. Master raised alarm, took evasive manoeuvres and crew activated fire hoses. The pirates ordered the ship to stop but master continued with the evasive manoeuvres. The pirates fired upon the ship with two rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons. Master called coalition warship and asked for immediate assistance. A coalition warship responded and came to the location in 15 minutes and chased away the pirate boat. No injuries to the crew or damages to the ship.
* 13.11.2008: 1245 UTC: Posn: 04:51.4S – 044:54.1E, Somalia.
Pirates armed with automatic weapons and RPG chased and fired upon a container ship underway. Because of the firing, fire broke out in the third officers’ cabin. The vessel increased speed and made evasive manoeuvres. The pirate boat came alongside on port side. Pirates tried to embark on board but were unsuccessful. Later they aborted. Vessel continued to her destination port.
* 12.11.2008: 1210 UTC: Posn: 12:33.6n – 045:10.6e, Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates in two speedboats chased a tanker underway. Tanker took evasive manoeuvres and escaped from the pirates.
* 12.11.2008: 1405 UTC: Posn: 13:07N - 046:48E, Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates attacked and hijacked a chemical tanker underway. Further details are awaited.
* 11.11.2008: 0415 UTC: Posn: 12:45N – 045:04E: Gulf of Aden.
Two speedboats with 3-4 armed pirates in each boat chased a bulk carrier underway. Evasive manoeuvres made and warship contacted. A naval helicopter arrived at the location and interrupted the speedboats. Speedboats aborted the attack. Later, a warship was sighted and established contact.
* 10.11.2008: 0030 LT: Posn: 01:11.09N - 103:52.10E, Singapore Straits.
Five pirates armed with long knives boarded a tug towing a barge underway. Pirates stole personal belongings and escaped. No injury to crew. Master informed port authority.
* 10.11.2008: 1005 UTC: Posn: 01:12.5N – 050:41.1; 250 nm east of Mogadishu, Somalia.
Two speedboats approached a refrigerated cargo ship underway. One boat approached from the stbd quarter and the other from astern. The pirates armed with guns and RPG’s started to open fire on the ship. Ship made evasive manoeuvres. The speedboats could not get closer due to the waves created by the evasive manoeuvres. Later the speedboats aborted the attempt. Ship sustained damages from gunfire. Crew safe.
* 10.11.2008: 1400 UTC: Posn: 13:27.6N – 048:26.8E: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with RPG and guns boarded a chemical tanker underway and hijacked it. They are holding 23 crewmembers as hostage onboard and sailing the tanker to an undisclosed location in Somalia. Further details awaited.
* 31.10.2008: 0000 LT: Bakasi Peninsula, Kole oil terminal, Cameroon.
Heavily armed pirates boarded an off shore supply vessel and kidnapped some crewmembers. Further report awaited. |
And the links for both these articles, sorry, forgot to do this on the first post:
ICC Commercial Crime Services: http://www.icc-ccs.org/
Weekly Piracy Report: http://www.icc-ccs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=308&Itemid=10 |
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Questioner101
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Apr 04, 2007
Posts: 3452
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:40 am Post subject: |
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They're asking for GPS systems and money...(which can be "fixed-up" with tracking devices.) Why do they have to even be near Somalia?? Ship it further away, let them starve. Where's all those "diseases" that pirates could come down with, from spending their ill-gotten gains.
Clean out the rats' nests....couple of bunker-busters aught to do it. |
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greeney2
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Joined: Sep 28, 2001
Posts: 9864
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:23 am Post subject: |
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| Who will be first to blame Bush for this too? |
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hansdew
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Jan 02, 2008
Posts: 957
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| greeney2 wrote: |
| Who will be first to blame Bush for this too? |
Earth to Greeney, are you there? |
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Nutin2say
B.V. Info Seeker
Joined: Oct 15, 2002
Posts: 696
Location: New York
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| Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 4:19 am Post subject: |
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 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27766333/
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India navy sinks suspected pirate 'mother ship'Expert says piracy is 'out of control' as hijackers seize two more vessels
AP file
The Indian warship INS Tabar, right, escorts the MV Jag Arnav ship to safety after rescuing it from a previous hijack attempt by Somali pirates.
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Nov. 18: Piracy has proven to be a lucrative industry for ocean-bound outlaws, who have raked in more than $50 million in ransom money from the more than 80 cargo ship hijackings this year alone. NBC's Jim Maceda reports.
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Nov. 18: With the Saudi supertanker seized Sunday by pirates now anchored within sight of Somalia, the Chinese News Agency reports a Hong Kong cargo ship has been hijacked today by pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
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updated 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
NEW DELHI, India - An Indian naval vessel sank a suspected pirate "mother ship" Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden and chased two attack boats into the night, officials said, in a day of escalating violence in the lawless seas.
Separate bands of pirates seized a Thai ship with 16 crew members and a Iranian cargo vessel with a crew of 25 in the area, where Somalia-based pirates appear to be attacking ships at will, said Noel Choong of the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Malaysia.
"It's getting out of control," Choong said.
Story continues below ↓
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A multicoalition naval force has increased patrols in the region, and scored a rare success Tuesday when the Indian warship, operating off the coast of Oman, stopped a ship similar to a pirate vessel mentioned in numerous piracy bulletins. The Indian navy said the pirates fired on the INS Tabar after the officers asked it to stop to be searched.
"Pirates were seen roaming on the upper deck of this vessel with guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers," said a statement from the Indian navy. Indian forces fired back, sparking fires and a series of onboard blasts — possibly due to exploding ammunition — and destroying the ship.
They chased one of two speedboats that had been shadowing the larger ship, and which fled when it sank. One was later found abandoned. The other escaped, according to the statement.
Larger "mother ships" are often used to take gangs of pirates and smaller attack boats into deep water, and can be used as mobile bases to attack merchant vessels.
Last week, Indian navy commandos operating from a warship foiled a pirate attempt to hijack a ship in the Gulf of Aden. The navy said an armed helicopter with marine commandos prevented the pirates from boarding and hijacking the Indian merchant vessel.
Tuesday incidents raised to eight the number of ships hijacked this week alone, he said. Since the beginning of the year, 39 ships have been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden, out of 95 attacked.
"There is no firm deterrent, that's why the pirate attacks are continuing," Choong said. "The criminal activities are flourishing because the risks are low and the rewards are extremely high."
Pirates spreading
The pirates used to mainly roam the waters off the Somali coast, but now they have spread in every direction and are targeting ships farther at sea, according to Choong.
He said 17 vessels remain in the hands of pirates along with more than 300 crew members, including a Ukrainian ship loaded with weapons and a Saudi Arabian supertanker carrying $100 million in crude.
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The supertanker, the MV Sirius Star, was anchored Tuesday close to Harardhere, the main pirates' den on the Somali coast, with a full load of 2 million barrels of oil and 25 crew members.
Asked about reports that a ransom had been demanded, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said Wednesday that the owners of the tanker "are negotiating on the issue." He did not elaborate.
He said, "We do not like to negotiate with pirates, terrorists or hijackers." But he said the owners of the tanker are "the final arbiter" on the issue.
Saudi Arabia, the world's leading oil producer, has condemned the hijacking and said it will join the international fight against piracy.
CONTINUED : Attacks continuing unabated |
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