Pirates board and damage tanker off southern Yemen
Armed attackers strike a tanker in the Gulf of Aden as UKMTO holds its regional threat level at severe
Armed pirates boarded a tanker in the Gulf of Aden about 76 nautical miles south of Balhaf, Yemen, on Tuesday, the latest attack on merchant shipping in the area. Four attackers armed with rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons approached the vessel in a small boat.
With the pirates closing in, the crew stopped the ship and retreated to its citadel, sending a distress call and waiting for help. The attackers eventually left, and when the crew emerged they found the bridge and several nearby compartments had been damaged. All crew were reported safe.
The small craft stayed active in the area afterwards, raising fears it could threaten other ships. Just over two hours later, UKMTO issued a second warning after the master of another tanker reported a suspicious approach around 85 nautical miles south of Balhaf. A small boat carrying four people came within about two nautical miles of the tanker's port quarter before turning away and heading south. That crew was also reported safe and the vessel continued on its way.
UKMTO raised its regional threat assessment to severe in late April, reflecting a rapid deterioration in the security picture, with two separate pirate action groups blamed for the recent wave of attacks. It has urged all vessels transiting the area to register with the organisation and stay highly vigilant.
