99019 Piracy Attack
Piracy Attack
Report No. 99019
I observed an echo on my radar screen that was passing through the preset Guard Zone of 1.5 Nautical Miles. I tracked the echo and established that it was a true echo, travelling at a speed of 31 Knots. I proceeded to the aft bridge to obtain a sighting and noted that it was a white hulled G.R.P. craft with outboard motor. The vessel was set on course directly for the my vessel. At a distance at 0.5 Nautical Miles I observed a number of persons in the vessel and decided this to be an imminent threat. I broadcast a distress call on International channels 16 and 74, and also on our company frequency for a period of 3 minutes. At this time the craft was coming along side this vessel, and disembarking 7 heavily armed men. I sounded the general alarm and thereafter proceeded around the vessel to further raise the alarm and sent all of my national crew to the engine room for safety. I requested engines and commenced heaving # 4 anchor. Whilst heaving the anchor alone on the bridge, the team of attackers outside, ordered me to open the weathertight doors which were all locked, using the built in special locking device. I ignored their order and continued heaving. Two of the attackers smashed the porthole in the starboard weathertight door and opened the door. I stopped heaving and ran down below to the boat deck accommodation where I mustered the remaining persons, namely, my Chief Officer and three expatriate divers. I briefed all that no resistance was to be made and that all orders from the attackers must be complied with. Within two minutes the attackers arrived at the scene and ordered all to lie face down. They demanded that the Captain make himself known. I raised my head to acknowledge them and was ordered to take them to the ship's safe and hand over the money. Before I could complete my response I was beaten heavily about the head, resulting in profuse bleeding from the lacerations. My Chief Officer was then beaten in a similar manner about the left temple, and thereafter, one of the divers.
I was then ordered to take the attackers to the ship's safe. I was led to the after end of the accommodation and tried to plead that they believe me that there is no safe on board. They replied that either I take them to the safe, or they shoot me. I maintained my statement, adding that should they carry out their threat, there still would be no safe on this vessel. At this moment one attacker, height 6 ft wearing a red arm band and bandanna cocked his weapon and swiftly raised it towards my head. In doing so, his elbow made contact with the bulkhead behind causing a shot to be fired, missing the right side of my head by 3 inches. I was dragged to my cabin and beat further. At this time the attackers seemed to lose control of the situation and commenced beating all present. My Chief Officer was ordered to hand over money and the same scenario of violence was repeated.
The attackers were present for a period of approximately 1 hour, ransacking the vessel. After this time things appeared quiet as we lay face down. We all remained in this position until for some time, eventually gunfire was heard on deck. Myself and Chief Officer proceeded to the bridge and saw the Navy on board firing at the attackers as they escaped. We preceded to heave home the anchors and get underway. Once underway, a sister ship arrived at my location and it was agreed that instead of trying to navigate in my condition, that I follow him. After a short period I was informed by the Quartermaster that 2 of the attackers had not managed to escape and were still on board. Further gun fire was heard, at which time the two were reported to have jumped overboard, leaving one SLR type weapon.
After the vessel was all secured, an inspection showed initial damage to be broken windows, internal doors and cabin fittings, damage to the GMDSS station and general ransacking. Many items had been looted including but not limited to televisions, stereos, hand held radios, and most personal effects. The Chief Officer, diver and myself were treated for wounds and shock ashore and given a skull X-Ray, which showed no signs of fractures. The attackers displayed a definite knowledge of the arrangement of this vessel throughout, which is a major cause of concern.