A Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier was attacked by pirates off the east coast of Somalia this week showing the persistent threat of piracy despite the the decrease in number of incidents off the Horn of Africa.
The attack occurred on October 16th, when a group of four pirates armed with AK-47s approached the MV KSL Sydney in a speed boat while approximately 340 nautical miles off Mogadishu, Somalia, according to reports from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and EU Naval Force Somalia.
The Master raised the alarm and all crew mustered in citadel. The attack was repelled when armed guards on board the bulk carrier returned fire, resulting in the pirates aborting the attack.
“Due to the application of BMP protection measures by the Master, his crew and the private security team, the piracy attack was thwarted and the crew and vessel remained safe,” EU NAVFOR said in a statement.
“There was a sustained exchange of fire before the skiff with several armed people on board broke off and changed course away from the MV,” the statement added.
This attack is believed to be the second pirate incident reported off the coast of Somalia this year.
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