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EU NAVFOR Disrupts Another Suspected Pirate Action Group
![Photo courtesy EUNAVFOR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-eunavfor-5009.jpg)
During the early morning of April 6, the EU NAVFOR Finnish warship FNS PohjanMAA identified a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG) consisting of a dhow and two attack skiffs approximately 250 NM South East of Salalah, Oman. The PAG is believed to have been responsible for an unsuccessful attack on a merchant vessel in the area the day before. When Pohjanmaa approached the PAG, the dhow tried to flee the scene and the suspected pirates were observed throwing equipment overboard.
Spanish Warship Disrupts Suspected Pirates
![Photo courtesy EU NAVFOR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-eu-navfor-4975.jpg)
Early on the morning of 28 March, the Seychellois flagged fishing vessel reported that a whaler and a skiff had approached her in a suspicious manner with automatic weapons and a Rocket Propelled Grenade(RPG) clearly visible. The EUNAVFOR warship immediately made her way to the scene and launched her SH-60B helicopter to investigate further. After two attempts by the Whaler to flee the scene, the helicopter was forced to fire warning shots in front of the vessel to make it stop.
EU NAVFOR Warship Disrupts Suspected Pirate Whaler
![Photo courtesy EUNAVFOR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-eunavfor-4974.jpg)
On the afternoon of 3 April 2011, the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship ESPS Infanta Elena, identified and boarded a suspected pirate whaler 89 Nautical miles South-East of Mombasa. The warship had received a short notice tasking to locate a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG) that had attacked a merchant vessel earlier the same day. On arriving in the area, the Infanta Elena found a whaler-type boat, which together with two attack skiffs, was suspected of being responsible for the earlier attack.
UAESA Reverses Decision on Armed Security Teams
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-4960.jpg)
The tragic loss of life on board the S/V Quest last week, which saw four American citizens die at the hands of Somali pirates, has once again raised the issue of the use of force into the headlines. The killings come as the shipping industry reconsiders its position on the presence of weapons on board vessels, with the UAE Shipping Association (UAESA) reversing their decision against the use of private security guards aboard commercial vessels.
Spanish Warship Disrupts Suspected Pirates
![Photo courtesy EUNAVFOR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-eunavfor-4937.jpg)
On 28 March 2011, the EU NAVFOR Spanish warship SPS Canarias disrupted a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG), consisting of a whaler-style boat and a skiff, 260 Nautical Miles North-West of the Seychelles after a fishing vessel reported the PAGs presence to the warship. Early morning on 28 March, the Seychellois flagged fishing vessel reported that a whaler and a skiff had approached her in a suspicious manner with automatic weapons and a Rocket Propelled Grenade(RPG) clearly visible.
Pirates Steal & Repaint Tug, Strand Crew
![Primarina Trading Pte Ltd](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/primarina-trading-pte-ltd-4920.jpg)
Primarina Trading Pte Ltd of Singapore reported that one of the company's tugs, Marina 26, was taken by pirates on March 22 off Tioman Island Malaysia. The crew was later left adrift and rescued. The crew reports that the tug had been repainted to green. Primarina Trading is looking for any assistance in locating the tug and its tow which was empty at the time. After taking the Marine 26 tug, the pirates traveled east with the crew held hostage.
Renowned Piracy Negotiator Calls On Maritime Industry To Educate The Public On Piracy Threat
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-4903.jpg)
March 21 2011—Stamford, CT. 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 luncheon on Monday, kicking off the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2011 conference. The luncheon was attended by nearly 250 industry professionals and maritime cadets. Ms.
U.S. Navy Disrupts Pirate Attempt In Arabian Sea
![Photo courtesy U.S. Navy](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-us-navy-4896.jpg)
U.S. Naval forces disrupted a pirate attack on M/V Falcon Trader II, a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel, after it reported it had been attacked by pirates March 24. All 20 Filipino crew members of the Falcon Trader II are safe and in control of the vessel. At approximately 10:30 a.m. (local), aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), conducting operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom…
Shipping Industry Needs to Leave Comfort Zone to Reduce Piracy
Reducing the number of ships that are hijacked by Somali pirates is a realistic prospect in the near‐term if shipowners and operators are willing to adopt a security…
Piracy Likely to Escalate into Small Wars Says Expert
It is likely that Somali pirates will soon raise the level of lethal violence with the result that there will be “small wars” on the open sea, according to security expert Casey Christie.
MV Sinar Kudus Pirated and Used as Mothership
![Photo courtesy EU NAVFOR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-eu-navfor-4788.jpg)
At approximately 0730Z on 16 March, the Bulk Cargo Carrier MV Sinar Kudus was pirated approximately 320 nautical miles North East of the island of Socotra in the Somali Basin. Within 24 hours of being taken, it was used to launch an unsuccessful attack on the MV Emperor. The MV Sinar Kudus, which is Indonesian flagged and owned, was on its way to Suez (Egypt) from Singapore when it was attacked. Details…
Shipping Industry Embraces Scanjet Anti-piracy Solution
Against a backdrop of rising piracy on the high seas, particularly from Somali-based attackers, marine equipment specialist Scanjet says its SCR 360 APR water cannon…
Panama Maritime Authority Certifies IMSN¹s Anti-Piracy System, Belize to Evaluate
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-4779.png)
The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize will evaluate IMSN's Triton Shield APS aboard a Horizon Lines vessel. Panama Maritime Authority certifies the IMSN's system. Wellsburg, WV (Mar. 14, 2011)- With seafarers' safety and lives at risk, along with the billions of dollars maritime piracy costs the global economy every year, International Maritime Security Network (IMSN) has developed a solution to combat piracy with its Triton Shield Anti-Piracy System (APS).
Pirated Crew of MV York and MV Rak Afrikana Arrive Safely
![Photo courtesy EU NAVFOR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-eu-navfor-4719.jpg)
The MV York, together with 25 crewmembers from the MV Rak Afrikana, arrived safely in Mombasa after being released from pirate control on March 9. The crew of the MV Rak Afrikana, which was herself released by pirates on March 8, were transferred to the MV York after being rescued by the Italian warship ITS Zeffiro when the master sent out a distress call. The MV York, and her crew of 17 (from Germany…
Juliet Marine Systems, Inc. Announces Anti-piracy Sea-based Security Platform, GHOST
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-4682.jpg.bmp)
Juliet Marine Systems, Inc. announced today that they have developed and built a revolutionary marine platform called GHOST specifically designed to deal with international problems of piracy. International piracy has been consistently growing. In Somalia alone, pirates today hold 33 hijacked ships and 711 hostages, according to ICC IMB figures. Piracy is growing at about 10% per year and the heaviest activity is centered in Somalia.
CMF’s USS Bulkeley Frees Ship from Pirates
![Photo courtesy U.S. Navy](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-us-navy-4674.jpg)
A request for assistance from a Japanese-owned merchant vessel in the Somali Basin led to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) securing the release of the vessel and its 24 crew members from four suspected pirates, Mar. At approximately 3.00pm local time, Mar. 5, the oil tanker MV Guanabara reported it was under attack when it was 328 nautical miles south east of Duqm, Oman.
USCG Special Statement for Yachts, Somalia Piracy
The International Superyacht Society (ISS) received the following communication from CDR David G. McClellan, Chief, Prevention Operations Department, USCG Sector Miami.
EU NAVFOR Disrupts Suspected Pirate Group
![Photo courtesy EU NAVFOR](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/photo-courtesy-eu-navfor-4661.jpg)
On March 5, an EU NAVFOR aircraft and the EU NAVFOR French warship FS Nivose disrupted a suspected pirate whaler off the Somali coast. The whaler was suspected of leading a Pirate Action Group (PAG) at the time of the incident. On the morning of March 4, a merchant vessel reported being chased by one skiff about 350 Nautical Miles south of Mogadishu. In response, the EU NAVFOR warship FS Nivose was immediately ordered to locate and disrupt the suspected PAG responsible for the incident.
Iridium Developing Satellite Communications Solutions for Maritime Piracy Situations
As you know, maritime piracy has been in the news lately. As of Feb. 28, the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center (http://www.icc-ccs.org/home/piracy…
Shipping Chiefs Campaign To Stop Somali Pirates
![](https://images.marinelink.com/images/maritime/w200h200c/-4608.jpg)
Ship owners and seafarers are calling on ‘people power’ to push their governments to act now and show the political will to resolve the growing Somali piracy crisis before it strangles world trade and before more innocent seafarers are tortured and murdered. The SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign, launched by BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Shipping Federation (ISF)…