Indian Navy thwarts piracy attempt

An Indian Naval Ship, which is currently in the Gulf of Aden for anti piracy surveillance and patrol operations foiled a daring piracy attempt on Liberian registered merchant vessel MV Maud on 28 May 09. The Indian warship had earlier commenced an eastbound escort of merchant vessels including MV Maud AM 27 May 09.

At about 1250 h on 28 May 09, MV Maud with an Indian Master and nine Indian crew, reported a skiff manned by eight armed personnel approaching her at high speed. The position of the incident was approximately 225 nm east of Aden.

The Indian warship immediately responded to the distress call and advised the vessel to increase speed and carry out evasive manoeuvres to avoid getting boarded. Simultaneously, the warship launched her helicopter with Marine Commandoes embarked and started closing the distressed vessel at best speed. The helicopter saw two personnel on a ladder attempting to board the vessel from the bow. The visibility being low, it was possible that the pirates may not have sighted the warship and the helicopter. The helicopter had to, therefore, resort to firing warning shots to deter the pirates from boarding the ship. The pirates were then observed to disengage from the merchant ship and two pirates who were in the process of climbing the merchant vessel fell into the water. A boarding party from the warship, thereafter, boarded the skiff and confiscated various weapons as well as equipment used by the pirates.

Since, further piracy attacks were possible due to the low visibility prevailing in the area, the warship proceeded with full dispatch to continue with her escort mission, as warships from other countries had arrived on the scene for any follow up action. The three merchant ships are presently being escorted safely through the Gulf of Aden.

The Indian warship effectively averted the piracy attempt just in time by prompt and timely action. This has been much appreciated by the owners, crew and officers of the merchant vessel. From available records, it is appreciated that this may be the first instance of a piracy attempt being thwarted when the pirates were actually in the process of boarding a merchant ship.