Month: March 2011

  • Tanker Taken

    At approximately 0900Z on 28 March, the Crude Oil Tanker the “MV Zirku” was hit by pirates. The vessel was approximately 250 nautical miles South East of Salalah in the […]

  • Fending Them Off

    On March 27, 2011 a group of pirates attempted to seize the tanker “Asia”, owned by Novoship. The vessel was 235 nm northeast of Socotra Island, when a boat with […]

  • Williams at WISTA

    In recognition of the International Maritime Organization’s “Year of Piracy”, WISTA USA hosted world renowned piracy negotiator, Suzanne Williams QPM, as their keynote speaker at its sixth annual WISTA USA […]

  • Island Arrests

    The Indian Navy and the Coast Guard thwarted yet another piracy attempt over the weekend. The combined efforts saw the apprehension of 16 pirates operating west of the Lakshadweep Islands, while they were […]

  • Skiff Shooting

    An Australian warship has fired on a stolen skiff being used as a pirate ship in the Arabian Sea, as part of its role in a multinational anti-pirate operation. “HMAS […]

  • Falcon Saved

    An attempted pirate attack was disrupted last week by U.S. Navy forces supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Two helicopters were sent to investigate a distress call from the “Falcon Trader II” […]

  • Mothership Release

    Somali pirates have released 10 Indonesian seafarers after their Taiwanese fishing vessel was taken by pirates on March 30, 2010. The sailors were part of a 15-member crew aboard a […]

  • Effectiveness Questioned

    BIMCO’S chief maritime security officer has criticised the industry practice of using armed security guards on vessels transiting the Indian Ocean. Giles Noakes has also questioned statistics that proponents of the […]

  • Falcon Fear

    Fears are growing as pirates have boarded the 54,924-dwt Falcon Trader II (built 2009) in the Arabian Sea. On first report the crew were understood to be in a citadel and […]

  • BMP Rules

    In addition to the new agreement on the boundaries and extent of high risk piracy areas the IBF and ITF imposed some additional requirements. The agreement states that during a vessel’s transit […]