Seychelles wants protection

Seychelles has requested protection from the pirates. Seychelles are a popular destination in the Indian ocean. Last year alone they made more than 400 million $ from tourism. The popular holiday destination feels that the pirates are being squeezed in the Gulf of Aden and might start operating from their territory. The Seychelles are 155 islands many which are uninhabited.

The pirates  have already attacked 8 ships in the past couple of months. The Indian government has sent a warship to protect this region on the request of the Govt of Seychelles. The Indian Govt has promised a better equipped warship soon.

(Source: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/seychelles-asks-for-protection-from-pirates-20090508-ay0d.html )

Somali pirates attack U.S Navy ship

A US navy supply ship came under attack at just off the coast of Eastern Somalia. The small pirate boat fired several rounds of small arms at the US ship. The small arms fire fell well short of the ship. The 2 ships were never closer than 1 nautical mile from each other. 

The USNS and Clark sped up to avoid any interaction with invading pirates. Incidentally the Navy ships served as a temporary detention facility for suspected pirates. There have been more than 97 attempts on merchant ships in the last couple of Month's which has resulted in about 27 ships being captured.

(Source :http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1935&Itemid=363)

Pirate attack video

Dutch vessel Seized

A Dutch vessel carrying 8 passengers has been hijacked off the Gulf of Aden. This brings the number of ships being held by pirates to 18 and about 250 passengers. There is no news on the nationality of the captured people yet.

Earlier this year a Dutch vessel was rescued by a Russian warship the 'Admiral Vinogradov'. The ship owners are calling for a change in international law which prohibits the cargo vessels from carrying fire arms.

Italian Navy vs Pirates --- 3:1

Italian navy thwarted an attack on an Italian ship the Neverland. The Italian navy used a helicopter to intimidate the intruders. The pirates immediately did a course correction as they realized a navy warship Maestrale is involved. This is the 3rd incident involving an Italian ship. Earlier an Italian container ship Jolly Smeralo was attacked 3 times but the ships crew were able to defend the ship using salt water hoses and evasion tactics. Melody also escaped being captured using salt water hoses to knock down pirate ladders. The Bucconeer captured on the 11th of April is still being held along with its 16 crew members 10 of whom are Italian. The Neverland was headed to India with with a cargo of natural gas.

The incident took place in the gulf of Aden. The international flotilla of warships patrolling this region has gone up to 20.

German Ship MV Victoria hijacked

The MV Victoria was seized on Tuesday in an area 75 miles south of Yemen. The ship is believed to be headed towards Somalian port of Eyl. This is known to be known pirate hub. The Victoria was headed towards the sea port of Jeddah in the red sea. The ship has 8 people on board all of them Romanian.

The German operated ship was carrying 10000 tons of rice from India . Germany has recently recalled its elite GSG-9 commando unit operating in the area when they decided against storming another ship which was taken last week. This is the 19th ship being held by the Somali pirates.

(Source : http://www.ktnv.com/global/story.asp?s=10310940)

Russian WarShip Rescues Iranians from Pirates

Iranian Embassy in Moscow has reported that Russian Warship has rescued 8 Iranian citizens who were seized last week. The Russian war ship Admiral Panteleyev captured a Somali pirate boat along with 29 of its passengers were detained. The Russian warship is part of a large international force of about 20 warship placed in the region since past 6 months.

Source (http://www.russiatoday.com/Top_News/2009-05-04/Russian_warship_frees_eight_Iranians_from_pirates.html)

Pirates Attack French Warship

In a colossal blunder the Dreaded Somalian pirates attacked a French Warship near the cost of Kenya. The Pirates spotted a ship in the distance and launched 3 Speed boats to pursue this would be great catch. As they neared the assumed harmless freight the captain of the French Warship Nivose ordered commando's and a support helicopter to pursue and apprehend the pirates.

The Helicopter fired 2 warning shots and ordered the Pirates stop. The pirates immediately surrendered. The French navy took 11 prisoners.

Source(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6218274.ece)

South Korean War ship saves N Korean vessel

In a rare display of co operation a South Korean warship rescued a N korean vessel from being hijacked by Somali Pirates. The War ship has been sent to protect South korean shipments headed through the Suez Canal to Europe.

The Dabaksol a 6,399-ton ship was about 96 km from a South Korean destroyer when it sent a distress signal that it was being chased by a pirate boat. At this point the South Korean destroyer dispatched a lynx helicopter to engage the Pirate boat. The boat Quickly withdrew under threat of force.

The North Korean crew extended their thanks via Radio.

Source (http://www.euronews24.org/world/skorea-saves-nkorea-ship-from-somali-pirates/)

Russian warship escorts first commercial convoy off Somali coast

In a first of its kind move the Russian navy warship is escorting merchant vessels around the pirate infested Somali Costline. This has been a common practice during WWII used very effectively by the allies to protect the cargo shipments coming in from across the Atlantic .

The Admiral Panteleyev is an Udaloy-class missile destroyer armed with anti-ship missiles, 30-mm and 100-mm guns, and Ka-27 Helix helicopters.

Navies around the world have contributed as many as 20 Warships around this coast line in order to control and stop this 21st century Pirates.

Source (http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090504/121424688.html)