Pirates Approach Tanker in the Gulf of Aden

Pirates attempted to board a Singapore-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Aden, Asian piracy watchdog ReCAAP ICC informed.

Illustration; Image Courtesy: EUNAVFOR

The attempted incident occurred at around 12:40 on November 2, 2018.

The 74,000 dwt Po Yang Hu was approached by a mother vessel with an unknown number of people on board and two skiffs with two men on board each skiff.

The duty officer informed the master who activated security measures by activating the deck water spray, broadcasted the security situation through VHF Ch 16 and stationed three guards at the bridge. He commenced the lockdown procedure and informed the company’s chief security officer, operator and the United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) of the situation.

After the 2007-built tanker increased speed, the mother boat and its two skiffs stopped chasing the tanker.

There were no injuries reported and no items were stolen, according to ReCAAP.

Po Yang Hu, previously known as Dalmatia, is owned by Singapore-based Ocean Tankers, VesselsValue’s data shows.