Following the hijacking of a Liberian bulk carrier with several Indian crew members onboard in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia, Indian Navy has responded swiftly with its Mission Deployed platforms on Friday. Responding swiftly to the developing situation, Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and has also diverted INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to assist the vessel.
Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and has also diverted INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to assist the vessel.
An update on Friday revealed that military forces had boarded the vessel and conducted a thorough search when no unauthorised persons were found onboard. “All crew are safe and accounted for, vessel is proceeding out of the area,” the UKMTO report stated.
Earlier, the Liberia Flagged bulk carrier had sent a message on United Kingdom Marine Trade Operations (UKMTO) portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel in the evening on 04 Jan 24.
The aircraft overflew the vessel on early morning of 05 Jan 24 and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew. Naval aircraft continues to monitor movement and INS Chennai is closing the vessel to render assistance, a release stated. “The overall situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with other agencies/ MNF in the area,” an official of the Indian Navy stated.
On January 02, the UKMTO received a report that five to six unauthorised armed persons had boarded the merchant vessel in the vicinity of 460 nautical miles East of Eyl, Somalia. The CSO of the vessel also reported that the ship’s navigational lighting was limited and likely to be below minimum anti-collison regulation specification.