An offshore support vessel was boarded by armed robbers while operating in the Gulf of Mexico, according to reports.
The 3,100-dwt Natalie (built 1982) was boarded while operating in the vicinity of the jack-up drilling rig Odin, 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) north-east of Coatzacoalcos in the Mexican state of Veracruz.
"Social media reporting indicates that the crew were subjected to violent armed boarding and robbery of personal belongings," maritime security firm Dryad Global said on Monday.
"There is no mention as yet of any personnel injured, kidnapped or theft of cargo."
The Mexico-flagged vessel is managed by PM Offshore of Mexico, according to Equasis.
Dryad said the ship made a channel 16 broadcast during the early hours of the morning, stating that "pirates" were boarding the vessel.
Threats in offshore Mexico
There has been a significant increase in maritime crime and piracy in the waters off the Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz states of Mexico this year, according to Dryad.
"Armed criminal groups have been reported to target and rob commercial vessels, oil platforms, and offshore supply vessels in the Bay of Campeche area in the southern Gulf of Mexico," the security consultancy said.
Some 20 fishing vessels and 35 oil platforms and offshore supply vessels have been targeted since January 2018 in the area, according to data compiled by Dryad.
At least five of these attacks occurred in April this year.
Incidents recorded to date have involved the discharge of firearms, crew injuries, the taking of hostages and theft, the security firm said.
In April this year, an Italian offshore vessel was raided by armed robbers for the second time in six months off the coast of Mexico.
Local media reported the 2,700-dwt platform supply vessel Remas (built 2011) had been boarded on the night of 12 April, 130 km off the port of Dos Bocas.
In May, the US Maritime Administration issued an advisory that includes details of previous piracy and armed robbery incidents in the region and guidance on action to be taken in the event of a boarding.
