Bahamas-flagged merchant vessel escapes pirate attack

Bahamas-flagged merchant vessel escapes pirate attack

2010-11-17 01:41:41 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOMBASA, KENYA (BNO NEWS) -- A Bahamas-flagged merchant vessel on early Tuesday morning escaped a pirate attack thanks to the implementation of the protection measures, the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) said.

The MV African Eagle, a Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier, was sailing approximately 30 nautical miles from Mombasa, Kenya. A pirate skiff suddenly fired upon the merchant vessel. The Pirate Action Group then attempted to board the ship.

However, the barbed wires and electrical fences that were installed in the merchant vessel prevented the pirates from boarding the ship. After the complications presented while they attempted to board the MV African Eagle, the Pirate Action Group aborted its attack and left the scene.

The attack was disrupted as the vessel installed security defenses pointed out in the Best Management Practices, a booklet from the EU NAVFOR intended to assist ships to avoid, deter or delay piracy attacks off the Somali coast, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea.

According to the data gathered by the EU NAVFOR, the application of the recommendations contained in the booklet, can make a significant difference in preventing a ship becoming a victim of piracy.

"The fact is that there will never be enough warships to blanket cover this huge area. In the Indian Ocean, you should consider self-defense as your only defense", said Simon Church, Merchant Navy Liaison Officer of EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters.

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