Piracy attack on chemical tanker thwarted by crew
A chemical tanker ‘Southern Falcon’ was recently attacked by pirates in the Celebes Sea, 160 nautical miles east of Tarakan Island, Indonesia.
The chemical tanker was en route to Gresik when this incident occurred. The vessel under ballast was approached by a small speed boat with heavily armed men, who tried to board the vessel.
Fortunately, the crew thwarted the attack and resumed its voyage to East Java. All the seamen on board the vessel were deemed safe and no injuries were reported.
The high freeboard helped them and seriously disturbed the pirates from boarding the tanker. The accident was reported to local authorities, navy and Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, who started an investigation and tried to trace the pirates.
According to the witness evidence from the crew of the chemical tanker, the attackers were heavily armed militants of Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, who has control over the Celebes Sea region. It is not clear if the pirates opened fire on the vessel, fortunately no one were injured during the accident.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Commercial Crime Services
