MSC Melody uses firepower to repel east Africa piracy attack

David Osler - Monday 27 April 2009

Pirates fired upon the MSC Melody Pirates fired upon the MSC Melody

SOMALIA’S piracy epidemic continued unabated over the weekend, after an MSC cruiseship with 1,500 passengers and crew on board repelled an attack, apparently following the use of firearms. 

While it common shipping industry knowledge that cruiseships have for many years often carried armed guards, this is the first incident known to have resulted in an exchange of fire. 

Maritime security experts confirm that other vessel types in the Gulf of Aden also resort to such tactics, but also warn that the practice should not become generalised, citing the risk of escalation as well as possible insurance and legal ramifications. 


Click play above to watch an interview with International Maritime Bureau,
Chief Executive Captain Pottengal Mukundan

Meanwhile, Yemeni forces are said to have freed a captured tanker, killing two of assailants in the process. In addition, another ship has been hijacked, while one and perhaps two previously captured vessels have been released. 

MSC Melody master Ciro Pinto told the media that six pirates on a small craft approached the vessel late on Saturday and opened fire, which was returned by Israeli private security personnel on board. Water hoses were also deployed. 

Several passengers observed the incident, and some even tried to throw deckchairs at the pirates as they tried to attack a ladder to the ship. 

No one was hurt during the incident, which took place while the ship was positioned around 180 miles north of the Seychelles, while MSC Melody was en route from South Africa to Italy. 

The cruiseship has apparently sustained damage from bullet holes, but nevertheless is proceeded with a scheduled call to Aqaba in Jordan, under escort by a Spanish warship. 

The attack itself was confirmed in a formal statement issued to newswires by operator MSC Cruises, which made no mention of the use of firearms by anyone on board the ship. A MSC Cruises spokeswoman in the UK declined to comment on the issue. 

Cyrus Mody of the International Maritime Bureau said that his organisation had qualms about the use of armed guards on ships: “We always have been against the carriage of arms on vessels. First, we don’t think there is legal backing. Two, there’s a risk of escalation. Three, you cannot carry arms on ships carrying hazardous or dangerous cargo. 

“If you permit armed guards on certain vessels, the others, which cannot carry the armed guards will become vulnerable and be targeted a lot more.” 

Yemeni officials claim to have beaten off an attack on four tankers, during which one of them was briefly seized. Yemeni forces based on the other three vessels were able to win back control. 

The BBC gives the name of the hijacked vessel as Qana, adding that it was in ballast at the time and was now being escorted back to Yemen. The IMB said that the name better transliterated from Arabic as Gna, the name of a 3,185 dwt Yemen-flagged product tanker. 

Two alleged pirates were killed and a further three wounded, as were two Yemenis. In addition, at least nine pirates were arrested, the broadcaster added. 

The timing of the incident could not be immediately confirmed, although the attack is thought to have taken place on Sunday and the release early today. 

Over the night of Friday to Saturday, pirates hijacked the 31,838 dwt grain carrier Patriot in the eastern end of the Gulf of Aden, the Maritime Security Centre of the European Union mission Atalanta reported.
“The 17 man crew are believed to be unhurt,” it said in a statement. 

According to the German Department of Foreign Affairs, the crew consists of Ukrainian and Philippine citizens. 

Patriot, which is sailing under the Maltese flag, is owned, operated and managed by Hamburg-based Johann MK Blumenthal. 

The company confirmed the incident. “So far no contact has been established,” it said in a statement. 

Hamburg’s state prosecutor’s office, which is responsible for felonies at high sea, has started investigating the case. 

There are also reports that Somali pirates over the weekend freed another Yemeni-owned tanker, Sea Princess II, held since January 2, as well as the 2004-built, 75,707 dwt Greek-owned bulk carrier Saldanha, with ransom of $1.9m said to have been paid in the second instance. The IMB confirmed the release of Saldanha, but had no further information. 

Some 16 ships are being held in Somalia, with 264 seafarers hostage, the anti-piracy watchdog added. - Additional reporting by Friederike Krieger

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