Conditions Deteriorating for Hijacked Seafarers as Somalia Piracy Continues
The IMO released a statement highlighting the deteriorating conditions for three crews stuck in Somalia after their vessels were seized by pirates while calling for more action from the international community. It came as the Indian Navy responded to a new distress call and was able to release a crew sheltering from pirates in their vessel’s citadel.
The current chair of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, a regional initiative implemented by the International Maritime Organization, reports deteriorating humanitarian conditions for the crew of the MT Honour 25, which was seized on April 24, as well as for the crews of the Sward and Eureka, which were also seized around the same time.
According to the statement released by the IMO, the captain of the Honour 25 says the crew is caught between two factions in Somalia. The rival group recently tried to storm the ship, and there was an exchange of gunfire between the two groups.
Five of the 17 crewmembers, including the captain, of the Honour 25 are now suffering from health problems. The captain reports that the food supplies have been reduced to rice, and the available water is unsafe for drinking.
As a result, the Chair of the IMO initiative, Metse Ralephenya of South Africa, is calling for “urgent, coordinated and decisive international intervention to secure the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of the crews.”
His statement came as Egypt’s Foreign Ministry reported it was increasing its diplomatic efforts to gain the release of its nationals aboard the Eureka. The report said the pirates, however, had changed their demands.
Another crew was able to avoid abduction, however, as the Indian Navy’s frigate Trikand reached the bulker Golden Arsenal, which had been boarded on Wednesday, July 1. The crew of 21 had been able to retreat to the citadel aboard the 28,221-dwt bulker, which was sailing between Yemen and Somalia.
The bulker registered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines had sailed from Aden, Yemen, and was reporting that it was heading to Tuticorin, India. It was approximately 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti when it was overtaken by a skiff with four heavily armed individuals. Reports yesterday said the pirates had RPGs.
The pirates were able to board the vessel and damage the bridge and some of the surrounding compartments, but were unable to beach the citadel. The crew had issued a distress call and remained sheltered. The pirates appeared to have abandoned the ship, but the crew saw that the boarding ladders were still in place and decided to remain in the citadel until assistance could reach them.
Sailors from the Indian Navy boarded the Golden Arsenal and searched the vessel, confirming the pirates had fled. They released the crew from the citadel and assisted in restoring the vessel so that it could continue its voyage.
The Indian Navy also undertook aerial surveillance in the area. This came after reports that the pirate group had pursued another vessel on Monday, and the authorities warned the group was likely still looking for targets.
Pirates Board and Damage Vessel and Then Pursue Second Ship in Gulf of Aden
A pirate action group was active in the Gulf of Aden on July 1, as the level of activity continues at an increased level in the area. UK Maritime Trade Operations and MSCIO are reporting the pirates were able to board one vessel but abandoned it when the crew locked into the citadel, but a short time later, the same group was pursuing a second vessel.
The first incident took place in a position approximately 76 nautical miles south of Balhaf, Yemen, and 110 nautical miles northeast of Bosaso, Somalia. An unnamed bulker reported it was being approached by a small boat with four people aboard. They were heavily armed, including the RPGs.
Being overtaken, the crew of the bulker stopped the vessel and proceeded to enter the citadel to issue a distress call. They were awaiting assistance.
The crew later left the citadel to inspect the ship, reporting the pirates had fled. While they could not find any of the pirates, they saw that the boarding ladders were still on the hull of their ship. As a precaution, they re-entered the citadel until assistance arrived.
The reports indicated that four pirates had boarded the ship. The crew observed damage to the bridge and several compartments around the bridge.
Later, four people, also heavily armed, were observed in pursuit of a second merchant ship. MSCIO said it was likely the same group based on the timing and location.
The second vessel reported that it was able to evade the pirates. The skiff discontinued the pursuit. The authorities, however, are warning that the group appears to be searching for additional targets.
Three other ships continue to be held by pirate groups in Somalia since late April and early May. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has ordered an increased effort in an attempt to free Egyptian sailors being held on one of the vessels.
Egypt Intensifies Efforts to Free Crew of Hijacked Tanker
Egypt is intensifying efforts to free the crew of a tanker that has been held by pirates off Somalia since early May. The Foreign Ministry, in a new statement, emphasized the efforts while also working to support the families of the Egyptian sailors aboard the tanker.
The efforts come after the head of Egypt’s Maritime Officers Syndicate said last week talks had collapsed, according to The National news outlet in Egypt. It reports that the liaison to the International Transport Workers’ Federation said that the pirates demanded a higher ransom. He told the outlet that the issue was back to “square one.”
The incident started on May 2 while the tanker Eureka (3,353 dwt) was at anchorage off Qana Port, Shabwa, Yemen. Armed individuals reportedly boarded the vessel and took control. Later reports stated the vessel was underway toward Somalia, and at last report, it is anchored off the coast in the Puntland region.
The vessel, which is owned by interests in Yemen, was built in 2006 and registered in Togo. It has a crew of 22 aboard, including eight Egyptians.
The ministry reports it is coordinating efforts to ensure the welfare of the crewmembers. The embassy in Mogadishu made arrangements to enable the crew to communicate with their families.
The foreign minister has directed that they maintain daily monitoring while they work toward the release of the crew. At the same time, it has been communicating with the shipowner in Yemen and enlisted the aid of the Egyptian embassy in Riyadh, which is accredited in Yemen, to coordinate with the Yemeni authorities.
The hijacking of the Eureka was one of three incidents reported over a matter of days in late April and early May. EUNAVFOR Atalanta reports it is monitoring the situation and, as of last week, listed all three hijackings as ongoing.
Pirate activity increased dramatically this spring off the coast of Somalia and in the waters toward Yemen. Several ships reported being approached and getting into gun battles with the pirates, while others were able to outrun and maneuver to avoid boarding attempts.
