Another piracy incident reported off Somalia coast

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Another piracy incident has been reported in Somalia, multiple sources confirmed, just as the country struggles to bring order and stability to the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea coastlines, which are now prone to such attacks.

Eyewitnesses said a merchant's vessel has reported a suspicious approach by a blue-hulled small boat with several armed men some 170 kilometers northwest of Bosaso, within Puntland state. Most cases of piracy are reported around the Puntland coastline.

Maritime security consultancy Ambrey has stated that the vessel was approached from the starboard side of the unnamed vessel to within 100 meters. The incident happens at least three weeks after MV Abdullah was released by the pirates.

The boat was carrying 5-6 armed people with a ladder also sighted on the boat. The merchant vessel altered course and sounded the horn, reports further indicate, raising concerns about safety along the 3,333 kilometers of coastline.

A private armed security team onboard the vessel revealed its weapons to the approaching boat and discharged two warning shots due to the boat’s continuing approach. The boat then ceased its approach, officials further acknowledged.

The merchant vessel had an estimated 7.35m freeboard at the time and continued its voyage westbound. No injuries were reported but the incident is likely to trigger more surveillance along the coastline.

Splash reported yesterday on the sighting of a pirate mothership in the Indian Ocean, some 1,000 km from the Somalia mainland and 650 km east of Yemen’s Socotra Island. This sighting comes at a time when the Houthis are also extending their range of attacks to a similar area.

Somalia has been fighting piracy for years and about a decade ago, those involved in the vices slowed down. However, the recent surge of piracy activities in the country has attracted concerns from members of the international community.

GAROWE ONLINE