A seafarer reported missing following a raid by pirates on an offshore ship in Gabon was thrown overboard in the struggle.

This is according to Captain Sunil Kumar, the security officer of the 4,345-dwt platform supply vessel Tampen's (built 2002) Indian crewing company Proactive Ship Management.

Some of the 17 Indian crew had tried to resist the pirates, but the attackers threw the second engineer into the sea and shot the first officer and the cook, Kumar told the India's IANS news agency.

A search has continued for the missing crewman.

The two injured seafarers, who saw their colleague fall, are recovering well and have spoken with family members in India, Kumar said.

Three visitors being questioned

The vessel was sailing from Cameroon to the United Arab Emirates when it developed propulsion problems and had to stop at Owendo anchorage, Kumar added.

He said Gabonese marine and local police were questioning three men who boarded the ship two days before the 5 September attack 8nkm off the capital, Libreville.

Kumar added the men were a cleaner and two technicians.

Two replacement crew members will be sent to the vessel.

Security personnel brought on board

Armed security guards have been stationed on the ship at a cost of between $700 and $800 per day, Kumar said.

The former Bourbon Maritime vessel is owned by Prince Marine Transport Services of India, which acquired it in January.

The company has been contacted for further information.

Earlier reports had speculated on a potential kidnapping of the missing engineer.

Kidnapping incidents in the Gulf of Guinea have undergone a significant downturn this year.