The crew of an unnamed crude tanker were subjected to gunfire during the latest piracy incident in the Gulf of Guinea.
The incident took place earlier this week around 25nm southeast of Brass, Nigeria, according to reports from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre.
Six pirates armed with AK-47 rifles in a black hull speed boat approached and attempted to board the crude oil tanker while underway.
The master is said to have raised the alarm, activated the ship security alarm system (SSAS) and transmitted a distress message.
The pirates made seven attempts to hook an aluminum ladder on the tanker’s railing, but were unsuccessful due to the evasive manoeuvres taken by the master.
“They then, fired upon at the tanker and moved away. A Nigerian Navy boat was in contact with the tanker and arrived at the location. The tanker and crew are safe,” the IMB said.
Just a few days earlier gunshots were reportedly used in the latest attack on a tanker anchored of neighboring West African nation of Benin.
Three armed men were spotted on the deck of the unnamed vessel by the duty officer of the watch who immediately raised the alarm.
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre received the incident information from the chief security officer and immediately informed the Benin Authorities.
Three patrol boats were dispatched to the location and searched the waters around the tanker, while a navy team boarded the vessel.
“On confirmation from the team that the tanker was clear of pirates, the master and crew emerged from the citadel,” the IMB said.
“On investigating, the ship’s office port hole was damaged due to a gunshot and other ship’s property found damaged.”
“The 17 February incident follows the hijackings of two product tankers from the same anchorage,” said UK-based security consultancy Gray Page.
“Although attacks against shipping in the Cotonou Anchorage had been falling in 2017 the IMB says the area remains risky.
“Vessels approaching Benin should maintain strict anti-piracy and robbery watches.
“Off Contonou, in the wider Gulf of Guinea, piracy remains a significant risk with 33 attacks against shipping being recorded by IMB in 2017.”
