David Osler
Thursday 27 August 2009
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SOMALI pirates appear to be gearing up for a new round of attacks following a monsoon season lull, with reports that an Italian-operated general cargoship came under gunfire attack yesterday. The 4,900 dwt, 1990-built Southern Cross, ex-Oman for Algeria, avoided capture after warships from Norway, South Korea and Germany sent helicopter support. There were no injuries to the crew.
A statement from European Union’s Navfor’s Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa said: “In the late morning of August 26 the EU Navfor Norwegian warship HNOMS Fridtjof Nansen received an emergency call from the Italian vessel Southern Cross that it was under attack from pirates. The Southern Cross was transiting the Gulf of Aden, some 80 nautical miles south of al Mukkala.
“Fridtjof Nansen and the helicopter of the South Korean warship Daejoyoung from Coalition Task Force 151 responded directly to the situation. While Fridtjof Nansen and the helicopter were approaching, the skiff with five people on board broke off the attack after having fired several shots to the pilot house of Southern Cross and escaped to the south.”
According to Lloyd’s MIU, the vessel is associated with Naples-based company Rimorchiatori Laziali Impresa di Salvataggio e Rimorchi.
Source: Lloyd's List, August 27, 2009