Armed pirates attempted to
attack two ships in two separate incidents off Nigeria last week, the IMB
Piracy Reporting Centre said.
attack two ships in two separate incidents off Nigeria last week, the IMB
Piracy Reporting Centre said.
On January 24, 2019, a
product tanker was fired upon while underway, around 35 nautical miles south of
Brass.
product tanker was fired upon while underway, around 35 nautical miles south of
Brass.
The general alarm was
raised, non-essential crews mustered in citadel and vessel conducted evasive
maneuvers. Due to the hardening measures, the pirates moved away.
raised, non-essential crews mustered in citadel and vessel conducted evasive
maneuvers. Due to the hardening measures, the pirates moved away.
The second incident
occurred some 45 nautical miles south of Brass on January 25 when up to seven
armed pirates in a skiff chased and fired upon a bulk carrier underway.
occurred some 45 nautical miles south of Brass on January 25 when up to seven
armed pirates in a skiff chased and fired upon a bulk carrier underway.
After raising the alarm,
the crew switched on deck lights, increased the vessel’s speed and mustered in
citadel.
the crew switched on deck lights, increased the vessel’s speed and mustered in
citadel.
Armed guards onboard the
vessel managed to repel the attempted attack, according to the IMB ICC.
vessel managed to repel the attempted attack, according to the IMB ICC.
The Gulf of Guinea
saw a significant
new spike in violence in the last quarter of 2018.
saw a significant
new spike in violence in the last quarter of 2018.
Vessels have
been boarded by pirates well outside territorial waters, with crew kidnapped
and taken into Nigeria where they are held for ransom.
been boarded by pirates well outside territorial waters, with crew kidnapped
and taken into Nigeria where they are held for ransom.
In the last three months
of 2018, a total of 41 kidnappings were recorded in Nigerian waters alone.
of 2018, a total of 41 kidnappings were recorded in Nigerian waters alone.
World Maritime News
