|
Piracy attempt on Maltese ship foiled, Navy rushes help |
|
|
|
Monday, 08 March 2010 |
 A Maltese bulk carrier passing about 200 nautical miles off Laskhadweep Islands in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone yesterday came under pirate attack following which the Navy rushed its warship from Kochi to help the merchant vessel.
But the attack was foiled even before the Indian warship could reach the
merchant vessel 'MV Melina I', the Navy said here in a press release.
However,
the Navy did not spell out how the pirate attack was foiled by the
merchant vessel. Merchant vessels are not permitted to carry arms on
board and hence are vulnerable to attack from pirates, who are well
armed.
"Around 6 am today, the Master of MV Melina I had reported
sighting of four skiffs approaching his vessel and sought
assistance.
Accordingly, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast
Guard had launched
operations for assistance to the ship," the
release said.
The
Maltese ship was on passage from Ukraine to Paradip in Orissa when it
encountered the pirates.
The Southern Naval Command here said the
warship, INS Sujatha, with an armed helicopter and Marine Commandos
(MARCOS) on board had the capability to effectively deal with
any
"emergent situation".
The Coast Guard, on its part, rushed its vessel
'CGS Annie Basant' and a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft to render
assistance to the distressed vessel, the release said.
Considering
the situation, INS Sujata would close in on the merchant vessel and
escort it to safe waters before returning to its base.
Source: PTI
|
Free Daily Newsletter Subscribe 
Rss
Online - Contact Send us your news
