Piracy Attack Warning INDIAN OCEAN off Somalia

Piracy Attack Warning INDIAN OCEAN off Somalia (ecop-marine)
A piracy alert has been raised by the NATO Maritime Security Centre
Date of alert : 31/03/2010 – 07:18:53
Alert type :      Attempted Attack
Location :       Somali Basin
Latitude :        0203N
Longitude :     05226E
—ALERT UPDATE—
At 310521Z a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 3 skiffs in position 0203N 05226E.
No description of the skiffs currently available. Reported that weapons were fired.
Naval units investigating
Reportedly MV EVITA, a Sierra Leoone flagged and UAE-owned production tanker of 9897 dwt tonnes, was attacked, but the attack was unsuccessful and the ship evaded the pirates.

According to further information by ECOTERRA Intl. obtained from the Kenya Navy and SAP the North-Korea-flagged 9,760 dwt MV CHOL SAN BONG CHONG NYON HO, whose owner is MAGNOLIA MGA SHIPPING CO LTD of Kimchaek, Hamgyongbuk-do, North Korea came under attack today north off the Kenya-Somali boundary and 9 North-Korean sailors were wounded in the heavy fighting.

For the sake of the seafarers and in curbing crime ECOTERRA Intl. and ECOP-marine welcomed the decision by the Indian government:
NOTIFICATION BY INDIAN GOVERNMENT
- Issued by The Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai.
Seven Indian mechanized sailing vessels, namely MSV “AL KADRI”, MSV “AL IJAZ”, MSV “FAIZE E OSMANI”, MSV “SEA QUEEN”, MSV “NAR NARAYAN”, MSV “VISHWA KALYAN” and MSV “KRISHNA JYOT” are reported missing and presumed hijacked by pirates. These vessels have been reportedly operating in or near the pirate-infested area near the Gulf of Aden/Somalia region. 97 Indian seafarers are reported to be on these vessels.
DIRECTIONS
In the light of these reported hijackings, the Directorate has issued directions prohibiting the trading of mechanized sailing vessels south and west of the line joining Salalah (Oman) and Malé (Maldives), with immediate effect.

- further information can be obtained from the SMCM – listed at www.australia.to