Posted on 05/11/2009 12:02:25 PM PDT by gandalftb
The Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are directed to their targets by a "consultant" team in London, according to European military intelligence.
Pirate groups have "well-placed informers" in London who are in regular contact with control centres in Somalia where decisions on which vessels to attack are made. These London-based "consultants" help the pirates select targets, providing information on the ships' cargoes and courses.
In at least one case the pirates have remained in contact with their London informants from the hijacked ship, according to one targeted shipping company.
The pirates' information network extends to Yemen, Dubai and the Suez canal.
This enables the more organised pirate groups to study their targets in advance, even spending several days training teams for specific hijacks. Senior pirates then join the vessel once it has been sailed close to Somalia.
Captains of attacked ships have found that pirates know everything from the layout of the vessel to its ports of call. Vessels targeted as a result of this kind of intelligence included the Greek cargo ship Titan, the Turkish merchant ship Karagol and the Spanish trawler Felipe Ruano.
In each case, says the document, the pirates had full knowledge of the cargo, nationality and course of the vessel.
The national flag of a ship is also taken into account when choosing a target, with British vessels being increasingly avoided, according to the report.
European countries have set up Operation Atalanta to co-ordinate their military efforts in the area.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Note: Click on the link above to read more piracy-related material.
#
Note: The following live piracy report is a quote:
http://www.icc-ccs.org/index.php?option=com_fabrik&view=table&tableid=70&calculations=0&Itemid=82
Live Piracy Report
The IMB Live Piracy Report displays all Piracy and Armed Robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in the last ten days. Click on the map for more details.
Incident Details: View
12.05.2009: 1215 UTC: Posn: 01:02.4S – 057:18.1E, About 740 nm east of Mogadishu, Somalia.
Nine pirates in two boats chased and fired upon a container vessel with guns and RPG. Master carried out evasive manoeuvres and the pirates aborted the attempt after 45 minutes. No casualty to crew.
View
10.05.2009: 0715 UTC: Posn: 12:33N – 043:26E, Gulf of Aden.
Around eight pirates in two boats approached a chemical tanker underway. Master increased speed, carried out evasive manoeuvres, fired two signal rockets towards the pirate boats and contacted a Russian warship in the vicinity. A helicopter was dispatched to the location. The pirates aborted the attempt and moved away.
View
07.05.2009: 0605 UTC: Posn: 13:43N – 050:35E, Gulf of Aden.
Armed pirates in skiffs attacked, boarded and hijacked a general cargo ship with eight crew. The ship is currently being taken to an unknown location.
View
07.05.2009: 1220 LT: Posn: 12:12.4N - 045:45.2E, Gulf of Aden.
One blue coloured skiff with nine pirates armed with guns approached a tanker underway. They attempted to board the tanker. Master raised alarm and crew mustered. Alert crew fired four rocket flares and threw two hand flare on the pirate boat. Master took evasive manoeuvres and reported to coalition warship in the vicinity. Pirates aborted the attempt at 1245 LT due to vessel’s evasive manoeuvres and firing of rocket flares.
View
07.05.2009: 0020 UTC: Dar es Salaam anchorage, Tanzania.
Two robbers armed with knives boarded a container ship at anchor using hooks attached to a long pole. Alert crew saw the robbers and raised alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, the robbers jumped overboard and escaped with eight accomplices waiting in their boat.
View
07.05.2009: 0930 UTC: Posn: 13:04N – 049:00E, Gulf of Aden.
Seven pirates in a boat came close to a bulk carrier underway. Pirates attempted to board by using an aluminum ladder and fired at the ship using guns and RPG. Master increased speed and carried out evasive manoeuvres and informed coalition forces. When the helicopter arrived the pirates aborted the attempt. Later a coalition warship approached the vessel and advise the ship to follow. The pirates were detained by the coalition warship.
View
06.05.2009: 0910 UTC: Posn: 13:34N - 048:38E: Gulf of Aden.
Pirates armed with guns in a black and white speed boat chased a tanker and opened fire with automatic weapons. The vessel made evasive manoeuvres and escaped from the pirates.
View
05.05.2009: 0830 UTC: Chittagong anchorage: Bangladesh.
Robbers in a boat approached a general cargo ship and attempted to board via anchor cable. Crew alerted and robbers aborted the attempt and escaped.
View
05.05.2009: 0330 LT: Port au Prince: Haiti.
Robbers boarded a general cargo ship at anchor via the forecastle. Due to crew alertness, robbers aborted the attempt and escaped.
View
05.05.2009: 0430 UTC: Posn: 13:09.7N – 049:08.9E, Gulf of Aden.
Six pirates in a boat chased a bulk carrier underway. They opened fire with guns and attempted to board the ship a few times but failed. Crew fired rockets towards the pirates and enforced anti piracy measures onboard. Coalition forces informed and a helicopter was dispatched. No casualties to crew. Bridge window broken due to firing.
The Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean are directed to their targets by a "consultant" team in London, according to European military intelligence... In at least one case the pirates have remained in contact with their London informants from the hijacked ship, according to one targeted shipping company. The pirates' information network extends to Yemen, Dubai and the Suez canal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.