Ship captured off Seychelles, another escapes off Somalia (Maj)

(photo credit: Linea Messina)
(BRUSSELS2)
Unsuccessful attack on an Italian ship. A new merchant ship was attacked by pirates in the early hours of this morning, we learned from the headquarters of Eunavfor Atalanta (the European anti-piracy force), off the coast of southern Somalia (400 nautical miles from Mombasa). It was a little before 5 a.m. (GMT - 8 local time) when the Jolly Rosso (*), an Italian RoRo container ship of 200 meters and weighing 31.000 tons, was attacked by 2 skiffs with 4 or 5 people each on board. The pirates opened fire and fired three RPG grenades towards the ship. This one took all security measures and tried to escape by setting the maximum speed. Meanwhile, the warships in the area - the Belgian frigate Louise Marie (which is part of Atalanta and was not far away) as well as the American NATO ship USS Donald Cook (CTF 508) intervened. The merchant ship was finally able to escape its pursuers despite what we had feared for a moment. A Seychelles-based Eunavfor maritime patrol aircraft was dispatched to observe the area and spot any pirates.

Capture of a Panamanian freighter. At the same time, the MV Al-Khaliq, a 180 m Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier was attacked 180 nautical miles west of the Seychelles. He could not escape and was captured by the pirates. During contact with the ship, it was learned that two pirates had boarded and were trying to gain access to the living areas of the ship. Another maritime patrol aircraft from Eunavfor, from the Seychelles, was able to confirm the situation. At least six pirates are said to be on board. Lthe mother ship was brought back on board with a crane. And the two skiffs towed. The Seychelles Coast Guard vessel also visited the scene.