Yuku free message boards

Little different this week. I edited out the older incident reports so it's a bit less lengthy. What I did keep though, along with the current reports, are the ones involving coalition warships and the new measure introduced by us and France to be given the authority to do something about this. I'll be opening a pool on who will oppose the idea besides those enlightened souls on the UN's Human Rights Commission.

Ok, on with the YARR!!

4. UNITED NATIONS: US, France draft UN resolution to battle pirates off Somalia, per 21 Apr 08 reporting. The United States and France are drafting a UN resolution that would allow countries to chase and arrest pirates off Somalia's coast, in response to a spate of recent attacks. France's UN Ambassador Jean-Maruice Ripert said the resolution would authorize foreign governments to pursue pirate vessels into territorial waters, make arrests, and prosecute suspects. The International Maritime Organization has welcomed moves by the French government to seek United Nations Security Council support in tackling piracy off Somalia. Per 29 Apr 08 reporting, the US and France, backed by the UK and Panama, introduced a draft Resolution to the UN that would rally maritime nations to tackle piracy off Somalia. According to news reports, the Resolution would authorize foreign states to enter Somali waters to stop and search suspect vessels and detaining identified pirates and their craft. Intervention would require approval from Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) which has itself repeatedly called on the UN for help in tackling sea piracy. According to AP, the Resolution further urges nations with naval assets in the Horn of Africa region to co-operate with each other, the IMO and "other organizations" to track down pirates and take them into custody. The draft proposes that "relevant" states co-operate to decide on jurisdiction for detaining and prosecuting pirates (AFP, LL, LM: Daily News).


3. This week's highlights:
.
A. Refrigerated cargo ship boarded, robbed 27 Apr 08, Lome, Togo (Para 5.G.1.).
.
B. Unidentified militants attack ship, hostages taken 03 May 08, 15NM northwest off the Bonny coast in Rivers State, Nigeria (Para 5.G.2.).
.
C. Bulk carrier reported suspicious approach 1 May 08, 65NM east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, Gulf of Aden (Para 5.H.5.).
.
D. Bulk carrier reported suspicious approach 28 Apr 08, 145NM east of Qishn, Yemen, Gulf of Aden (Para 5.H.8.).
.
E. Chemical tanker fired upon 04 May 08, 300NM from the east coast of Somalia, Indian Ocean (Para 5.H.23.).
.
F. Container ship boarded 29 Apr 08, Chittagong anchorage Bravo, Bangladesh. (Para 5.H.26.).
.
G. Vessel boarded 26 Apr 08, CCT3, Chittagong port, Bangladesh (Para 5.H.27.).
.
H. Tug boat (PU 2008) boarded, robbed 30 Apr 08, south of Pulau Tioman, South China Sea. (Para 5.K.1.).


5. DETAILS: There is reported active violence against shipping,
a credible threat to shipping, or the potential to develop into a
direct threat to the safety of shipping in the following areas:
.
A. NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.
.
B. CENTRAL AMERICA-CARIBBEAN: No current incidents to report.
.
C. SOUTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.
.
D. ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.
.
E. NORTHERN EUROPE-BALTIC: No current incidents to report.
.
F. MEDITERRANEAN-BLACK SEA: No current incidents to report.
.
G. WEST AFRICA:
.
1. TOGO: Refrigerated cargo ship boarded, robbed 27 Apr 08 at 2145 UTC while at anchorage in position 06:05N-001:17E, Lome. Six armed robbers boarded the vessel via the forecastle. When spotted by the crew, the robbers jumped overboard and escaped. Ship stores stolen (IMB).
.
2. NIGERIA: Unidentified militants attack ship, hostages taken 03 May 08 at 1100 local time, 15NM northwest off the Bonny coast in Rivers State. Attackers in five speedboats attacked a yet to be identified ship and took the captain and the engineer hostage before escaping. The incident was confirmed by an Army Public Relations Officer. No known militant group operating in the Niger-Delta region has claimed responsibility for the attack (LM: Daily Trust
(Abuja)).
.
.
H. INDIAN OCEAN-EAST AFRICA:
.
5. GULF OF ADEN: Bulk carrier reported suspicious approach 1 May 08 at 1605 UTC while underway in position 14:51.9N-054:14.8E, 65NM east of Al Mukalla, Yemen. Two speedboats crossed the bow of the vessel. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered and took evasive maneuvers. Both boats stopped briefly and then resumed trailing the vessel. The master contacted a coalition warship on VHF Ch. 16/72. The coalition warship crossed the ship's stern and informed the master to continue on her passage, as there were no speedboats visible (IMB).
.
6. GULF OF ADEN: Vessel reported suspicious approach 1 May 08 at 1515 UTC while underway in position 13:09N-050:22E, approximately 75NM north of Caluula, Somalia. Suspicious speedboats chased the vessel. The speedboats moved away. Vessel continued passage to destination (Operator).
.
7. GULF OF ADEN: Vessel reported suspicious approach 30 Apr 08 at 2005 local time/1605 UTC while underway in position 14:51.9N-054:14.8E, 125NM south of Port Salalah, Oman/130NM north of Socotra. Two speedboats traveling at approximately 15.5knts approached the vessel. At 2015 local time, the first speedboat crossed the vessel's bow at about half a nautical mile off and proceeded towards the starboard quarter. The master sounded the general alarm and ship's whistle, and all crew mustered on the bridge. At 2026 local time, the second speedboat also crossed the vessel's port bow at about the same distance as the first while the vessel carried out evasive maneuvers. It was observed on radars that the speedboats stopped for a while until the vessel was a little further away, and then resumed chasing from both sides. At 2047 local time, the master informed a coalition warship that four speedboats were now chasing the vessel from different directions. It was assumed that the speedboats wanted the vessel to head south towards Somalia, however, the vessel turned counter-clockwise and headed northwest. Two speedboats stopped but the other two continued to follow. At 2148 local time, a coalition warship was sighted on radar and advised the vessel to maintain their course while the warship approached. At 2220 local time, the coalition warship informed the vessel that they will cross the stern to investigate the situation. At 2238 local time, the vessel was advised there were no more speedboats in the area using their thermal vision scanner and that the vessel was now able to precede the intended course to their destination (Operator).
.
8. GULF OF ADEN: Bulk carrier reported suspicious approach 28 Apr 08 at 2203 local time while underway in position 14:15.5N - 050:11.8E, 145NM east of Qishn, Yemen. The vessel observed on radar three speedboats approaching at high speed. The alarm was raised and anti-piracy measures were activated. All accommodation lights and navigations lights were switched off. The boats continued to follow and slowly closed onto the vessel. Finally, to deter them from pursuing, the chief officer threw wooden pallets and old garbage drums overboard in the path of the boats. This caused the boats to suddenly stop and move away (IMB).
.
.
11. GULF OF ADEN: Tanker (NEVERLAND) reported suspicious approach, per 23 Apr 08 reporting. A flotilla of speedboats approached the vessel with reportedly malign intent but was warned off by the Italian Navy patrol vessel (COMANDANTE BORSINI) (LL, LM: Turin La Stampa).
.
12. GULF OF ADEN: Bulk carrier (AFRICA IBIS) reported suspicious approach, 22 Apr 08. The vessel called for help in warding off a group of five speedboats which were approaching the vessel. The Italian Navy supply vessel (ETNA), was sailing with the patrol vessel (COMANDANTE BORSINI) as part of a marine surveillance operation in the area. At a distance of 70NM from the threatened ship, a helicopter was immediately dispatched to its aid. The helicopter appears to have deterred the presumed pirates, allowing the vessel to proceed on its way to Mangalore, India (LL, LM: Turin La Stampa).
.
13. GULF OF ADEN: VLCC tanker (TAKAYAMA) fired upon 21 Apr 08 at 0110 UTC (reported by IMB), 0230 UTC (reported by operator), while underway in position 13:00N-049:07E, approximately 240NM east of Port of Aden, Yemen. Five speedboats chased and opened fire at the vessel, in ballast, proceeding to Yanbo, Saudi Arabia. The vessel increased its speed and enforced anti-piracy preventative measures. A rocket was shot at the vessel, damaging its hull. Crewmembers on board have confirmed the existence of a 20-millimeter hole on the port side near the stern of the ship. The master sent out a radio distress call and was received by the German warship (EMDEN) who headed straight to the scene with a helicopter to intercept the pirates. By the time the helicopter arrived, the pirates had fled in their speedboats. Yemeni coast guard forces also claimed a role in helping. There were no injuries to the crew of 23 and the vessel arrived at Port of Aden on 22 Apr 08 at 0330 local time (IMB, Operator, AFP, LL, LM: Yemen News Agency, nytimes, Deutsche Welte).
.
14. GULF OF ADEN: Fishing vessel (PLAYA DE BAKIO) hijacked 20 Apr 08 at 1300 local time/1100UTC, 215NM off the coast of Somalia. The vessel was reportedly seized in international waters while fishing for tuna by four pirates armed with grenade launchers. The ship was damaged in the attack but it is still able to sail. The vessel is carrying a crew of 26. The wife of the captain of the vessel told Spanish National Radio that her husband told her by telephone that the pirates had ordered the crew off the boat, but a Spanish government statement released said they were still onboard. Spain's warship (MENDEZ NUNEZ) is expected to arrive early 24 Apr 08 to observe negotiations with the pirates according to the daily El Pais. Spain has also sent an air force reconnaissance plane to the Horn of Africa (AFP, LM: news.monstersandcritics.com, earthtimes.com, Independent Online, SomaliNet).
.
16. GULF OF ADEN: Tanker reported suspicious approach 16 Apr 08 at 0640 UTC while underway in position 14:02.0N-050:35.9E, 104NM southwest of Qishn, Yemen. The ship was approached and trailed by two 15-meter boats. One boat had three persons on it with a yellow hull. The other boat had five persons on it and a white hull. The crew was alerted and all anti-piracy preventive measures were enforced. The ship took evasive maneuvers. The two suspicious boats moved away and headed in a southwesterly direction. The ship reported a coalition warship in the area. When the warship arrived in the area, the suspicious boats disappeared (IMB).
.
.
.
23. INDIAN OCEAN: Chemical tanker fired upon 04 May 08 around 1300 UTC while underway in position 01:00N 051:30E, 300NM from the east coast of Somalia. The IMB Piracy Reporting Center received a call from the vessel owner stating the tanker was fired upon by pirates in two speedboats. The master took evasive maneuvers, increased to max speed and turned to a course of 090 degrees. Machine gun fire and some form of projectiles were reportedly directed at the vessel. At 1420 UTC, the small boats were reported to be 5NM away but still pursuing. At 1530 UTC, the tanker lost all contact with the small boats and resumed course to next destination. No injuries to crew reported. ONI COMMENT: This incident occurred well beyond the usual Somali piracy operating range of 200NM from the east coast of Somalia. All vessels are advised to maintain strict vigilance at all distances from the Somali coast and report all suspicious sightings or radar contacts of larger vessels (vessels loitering or towing small skiffs) that could be supporting this activity in the vicinity of this attack (IMB, UKMTO, ONI).
.
.
26. SRI LANKA: Sea battle between Sri Lankan army and LTTE 09 Apr 08 at approximately 1020 local time, Ariyalai point, Jaffna. Armored tanks deployed after observing the presence of about seven LTTE boats in the area. It is believed that the terrorist boats were on a reconnaissance mission, possibly loaded with explosives. The boats were shot at with 100mm fire rounds causing an explosion. Less than an hour later, troops detected one more LTTE boat in the Jaffna lagoon area at about 1120 local time and used heavy fire on it. However, the troops restrained from further firing as the LTTE boat entered a fishing boat area. At least two LTTE terrorists died during the attacks and one solider received injuries (LM: army.lk).
.
27. BANGLADESH: Container ship boarded 29 Apr 08 at 2310 local time while in position 22:11.75N-091:44.8E: Chittagong anchorage Bravo. Eight robbers armed with sticks boarded the vessel from two boats. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. The robbers jumped overboard and escaped without stealing anything. Authorities informed (IMB).
.

.
29. BANGLADESH: Container ship (KOTA TEGAP) boarded, robbed 13 Feb 08 at 0315
local time in position 22:25N-091:36E, port of Chittagong, per 02 Apr 08 reporting. Twelve
robbers armed with knives and a revolver boarded the vessel from the aft. The robbers
overpowered the deck watchman, took over his intercommunications microphone and tied him to
the winch. They then unlocked the aft mooring stores, and stole two mooring ropes and two
lifebuoys. They also broke open the CO2 room and dry provision store. However, nothing was
reported stolen. When the robbers tried to open the general deck store, they were spotted by a
deck watch keeper who raised the alarm and alerted the bridge. Upon hearing the alarm, the
robbers fled and left the ship. The ship master reported the incident to the shipping company
which relayed the report to the Chittagong Port Control and the Bangladesh Coast Guard
(ReCAAP ISC).
.
I. RED SEA: No current incidents to report.
.
J. PERSIAN GULF:
.
1. PERSIAN GULF: Cargo vessel (WESTWARD VENTURE) reported suspicious approach, warning shots fired 24 Apr 08 at 0800 local time. The vessel was approached by two unidentified small boats. Following procedure, the vessel issued standard queries to the small boats via bridge-to-bridge radio, but received no response. The vessel then activated a flare, which also did not receive a response. The small boats continued toward the vessel and the vessel's security team fired warning shots and the small boats left the area. A short time later, the vessel received a query from a unit identifying itself as the Iranian Coast Guard. It is not clear if this was one of the small boats or a separate boat. (LM: marinelog.com, marinelink.com).
.
2. PERSIAN GULF: Navy patrol ship (TYPHOON) reported suspicious approach 10 Apr 08, in the evening, central Persian Gulf. The vessel was traveling north when it encountered three unidentified boats. The crew made standard queries over the bridge-to-bridge marine radio, warning the ships to stay away and then fired a flare. As the naval vessel continued its transit the three boats moved away. Navy officials in Washington identified the three boats as Iranian and stated they were armed, coming within approximately 200 yards of the (TYPHOON) before it fired its flare. Iran's official PressTV news network reported on its web site that an Iranian official denied there was a confrontation between the boats and the (TYPHOON). PressTV quoted the official as saying that the boats had approached the US ship for a "routine check" (LM: navytimes.com).
.
K. SOUTHEAST ASIA:
.
1. SOUTH CHINA SEA: Tug (PU 2008) boarded, robbed 30 Apr 08 at 2330 local time while underway in position 02:22N-104:24E, south of Pulau Tioman. The vessel towing barge (PU 3306) was underway from Vietnam to Singapore when six masked men armed with long knives boarded the vessel from a dark blue speed boat, measuring about 4m long. The pirates entered the accommodation area of the vessel, stole the laptops, mobile phones, and wallets of the crew before escaping. No crew was injured. The master reported the incident to the coastal state and the flag state. The Singapore Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) initiated a broadcast on SafetyNet warning ships in the vicinity (ReCAAP ISC, IMB).
.
.
L. NORTH ASIA:
.
1. EAST CHINA SEA: General cargo ship (CAPTAIN USKOV) reported missing, last located 20 Jan 08 at 0330 local time, 221NM east of Port Shanghai, per 14 Apr 08 reporting. The vessel departed Nakodka, Russia for Hong Kong, China on 15 Jan 08 with a cargo of steel coils and 17 Russian crewmembers on board. The ship owner lost contact with the ship on 20 Jan 08. The ship did not arrive at her intended port in Hong Kong (scheduled for 24 Jan 08).
After being alerted by the Russian authorities, the China Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) conducted a search operation involving a Chinese rescue ship and other ships. The Japan Coast Guard had also sent out a plane to scan the area where the ship was last reported. However, there was no trace of the ship. On 21 Feb 08 at 0922 local time, the Japan Coast Guard found a lifeboat from the missing vessel at location 35:55.6N-134:43.7E. There was no one in the boat (ReCAAP ISC).
.
M. PACIFIC-ANTARCTIC OCEAN: No current incidents to report.
.
N. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC NON-STATE ACTIVIST GROUPS: No current incidents to report.

Disappointed the Greenies have only had two reports in the last month.

The Navy wants to retire USS Enterprise (CVN-65) but they need a waiver to do so. That'll drop us to 10 carriers for at least three years until CVN-78 (Gerald R. Ford) joins the fleet. The Navy needs a waiver from Congress because the law requires 11 carriers be on active duty to meet warfighting requirements.

That number was 12 last year.

Going down slowly
Slowly going down...

Maybe soon it will be a good idea to hoist the Jolly Roger and set out for the high seas. Yarr!

PT