A Turkey-flagged product tanker was boarded and robbed southwest of Nova Sintra, Cape Verde early on Friday morning in a significant escalation in terms of the way pirates treat seafarers off West Africa.
According to British maritime security consultants Ambrey, the tanker was boarded by 10 suspects armed with AK-47s. The suspects reportedly damaged communication equipment, took control of the bridge, and locked all crewmembers.
A report from the International Chamber of Commerce stated the pirates ordered for the engines to be switched off and for the vessel to drift with the intention of stealing the cargo and bunkers. The crew’s arms and legs were tied. While waiting for the off-take vessel the pirates stole crew and ship properties. They then moved all the crew into the steering gear room and informed the crew that there were explosive devices fixed on all doors and the crew could only exit after two hours.
According to Ambrey, the suspects looted the tanker’s cash and some assets before deboarding and departing.
The crew were able to break free after two hours and repaired some of the equipment that was damaged. No explosives were found. No injuries were reported and the tanker continued on its journey.
The crews should be armed, and open fire on these pirates as soon as they are in range.
It’s not just a matter of being armed they’d require extensive training and preferably combat experience to be able to deal with such a threat .
Having experienced armed security contractors on board usually deters such threats but the legality’s of different regions would need to be looked at .
I would have thought that provided the ship stayed outside of local territorial waters there shoulf be no problrms.once the ship enters territorial waters of its destination country all weapons / equipment for defence be secured. Simple.
Mark, All legalities out the window when armed thugs with AK47”s attack.
One simple suggestion is that permanent ceasefire is needed all problems will be s
That should be a definite common sense requirement !
It has been applied to certain ships,but presumably it also depends on the ship’s owners,as to whether that is done or not !
The owners of these vessels are not poor. They can afford well armed ex military security forces. I have no sympathy for them. If they are unwilling to defend themselves against black rabble. They deserve the consequences!
And what happens when you discover that the vessel you opened fire on is discovered to be a fishing boat.
Jon. Ex maritime security.
As a former mariner this episode must have been very scary for the crew . Locked up on the steering flat.
Lucky they still alive.
As a mariner , I had this experience in Lagos,Nigeria in the seventies, precicely1977.we were robbed, the men beaten and women raped. It was such a dreadful and scary moment that i decided to sign off and leave Nigeria. These are some of the bad moments in the life of mariners, the rest is unforgetable joy and fun traveling the world while working. Its the greatest work/adventure ever.
When you state nova sinatra, are you referring to the island of Brava?
Isn’t this what countries have a navy for. Blast these pirates out of the water, no mercy. Show that we will make no prisoners and they will think twice before doing such things. Just another example of how we have gone soft. Brittania rules the waves….. I don’t think so.
Exactly right – Britannia no longer rules the waves – it only waives the rules !
I think the crew lacked skills to combat the pirates they should invest in training and security armoury.With only Ak 47 there’s much more than the eye can see.