Ethiopian ship escapes Somali pirates

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

February 6, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — An Ethiopian ship operated by Ethiopian Shipping Lines (ESL), foiled a pirate attempt this week in the Gulf of Aden, the multi-national anti-piracy task force said on Thursday.

The flagged vessel managed to escape after crew members took anti piracy measures including firing flares in the air and utilizing fire hoses, as well as “evasive maneuvering” — to repel the pirates.

The ship was approached by two Somali pirate skiffs Monday, with one of them coming close enough to fire automatic weapons in an attempt to force the ship to stop, the task force said in a statement.

After it received a distress call, the USS Farragut, a U.S. Navy destroyer helped with armed helicopters chased the skiffs; however the pirates managed to escape.

“A boarding team from the USS Farragut subsequently stopped and boarded the pirate skiffs, but only an empty magazine and used rounds were found on board,” the task force said.

“The MV Andinet once against demonstrated that even basic preventive measures can save a crew from a successful pirate attack,” said Commodore Tim Lowe of Britain’s Royal Navy, deputy commander of the Combined Maritime Forces.

“Although there is a significant international naval presence in the Gulf of Aden, these warships cannot be everywhere and may not always be close at hand to prevent an attack,” he added.

The task force advocates that commercial and civilian vessels in the region implement anti-piracy measures such as maintaining a 24-hour lookout, travelling in convoys and using high-intensity lighting.

Pirate attacks in the waters off Somalia have increased in 2009, with Somali gunmen receiving millions in ransom.

(ST)