A containership has reportedly come under fire from pirates off the coast of Ecuador as part of an attempt to board the unnamed vessel.
The incident happened as the ship was moving under pilotage in the approaches to Guayaquil, according to the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre.
“The duty officer onboard the vessel noticed a fast-moving target on the radar approaching from astern,” the IMB said.
The crew was alerted, and both searchlights were directed towards the approaching boat. At almost the same time, a second boat was also detected.
“One boat, with around 10 persons with grappling hooks followed the ship, the other, approached the ship from the starboard side and attempted to hook on a telescopic ladder to the ship’s rails,” the IMB said.
“The persons fired a few shots towards the search lights resulting in all crew retreating into the bridge and accommodation. Later the boats aborted their approach and moved away. All crew are reported to be safe.”
The alleged incident is said to have happened in the early hours of 1 April 2019, but has gone largely unreported by the media.
There have been at least four reports of container ships being targeted by intruders while underway near the port of Guayaquil in the last 12 months, said UK-based security consultant Gray Page.
Would-be boarders approach their targets in small skiffs, usually at night. The boarding attempt on 1 April 2019 was said to be one of the first in which shots were fired.
“The threat of piracy and armed robbery means crews on ships in the approaches to Guayaquil and in the port itself should remain vigilant,” said Gray Page.
“After several years with no incidents being reported to the IMB, two attacks were reported in 2017 and four in 2018.
“Any small craft approaching ships near Guayaquil, either at anchor or underway, should immediately be reported to the authorities and coast guard.”
