Patch Piracy Report

The Patch Piracy Report culls information from the International Chamber of Commerce's non-profit International Maritime Bureau. The report is meant as a service to mariners, especially those departing from Marina del Rey.

The following incidents were reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre:

Sept. 20. About 300 nautical miles east of Mombasa, Kenya (off Somalia). Pirates in two skiffs armed with guns and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher chased a general cargo ship. The ship took evasive action, but was boarded by the pirates. The entire crew retreated into the citadel and reached out for help. The pirates set fire to the vessel before leaving. A coalition warship arrived and rescued the crew.

Sept 22. Lome Anchorage, Togo. A duty officer aboard an anchored chemical tanker noticed a fishing boat slowly approaching. The duty officer informed the ship to move away, but was ignored. Two other boats joined the first boat and the Togo Navy was called and detained two boats, while a third escaped.

Sept. 22. About 20 nautical miles south of Grande Comore, Comoros Island (off Somalia). A bulk carrier at sea noticed two blue skiffs at a distance of one nautical mile. The ship's master raised an alarm and alerted the security team. The skiffs approached at a speed about 20 knots and were seen holding rocket propelled grenades. As the skiffs approached to 300 meters, they saw the armed security team, slowed down, circled the vessel for a few minutes and moved away. No shots were fired.

Sept. 24. Lome Anchorage, Togo. Two small boats approached an anchored chemical tanker and were told by a duty officer to move away. The order was ignored and two more boats approached from the stern and secured themselves to the ship's rudder. The Togo Navy was informed and responding, detaining all four boats. Nothing stolen.

Sept. 24. Gulf of Aden. Pirates in a dark, rubber boat chased and fired at a moving bulk carrier. Ship's master, a duty watchman and a duty armed guard spotted a small boat about 20 meters from the ship. The ship's master raised an alarm and crew members retreated to a safe area, except the ship's master and the bridge crew. Other guards came to the bridge and a warning shot was fired. The pirates aborted the attempted attack and moved away.