Pirates Fire Upon Tanker in Gulf of Guinea
Six pirates armed with AK-47 rifles in a speed boat repeatedly attempted to board a crude oil tanker off Brass, Nigeria on February 19.
The pirates made seven attempts to hook an aluminum ladder on the tanker’s railing but were unsuccessful due to the ship’s evasive manoeuvres.
They then fired upon at the tanker and moved away, IMB Piracy Reporting Centre said.
The Master also raised the alarm, activated SSAS, transmitted distress message, and increased speed, while the crew secured all access doors.
The incident occurred in the morning hours while the tanker was underway in the Gulf of Guinea, some 25 nautical miles off Nigeria’s coast.
IMB data shows that a Nigerian Navy boat was in contact with the tanker and arrived at the location. The tanker and its crew are reported to be safe.
