Maritime Casualties--January 7, 2010
Two More Ships Hijacked Off Somalia and Crew Abandons North Korean Cargo Ship
• Chemical Tanker and Cargo Ship Latest Hijack Victims
A British cargo ship and Singaporean chemical tanker have been seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Over the past seven days, four vessels have been successfully hijacked, bringing the total number of hijacked ships to 14 and over 300 crew members.
Asian Glory, the cargo ship with 25 crew aboard, was abducted last Friday night about 600 miles east of Somalia. The ship, owned by Zodiac Management Agencies, was headed for the international travel corridor patrolled by the European Union when it was seized. Another Zodiac vessel, the chemical tanker, St. James Park was also hijacked Monday. Contact with the 26 crew of that ship has not been made.
The chemical tanker, Pramoni, was headed east toward India when it was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden along with 24 crew members on board. The ship's master was reportedly heard on radio, informing that the crew was safe and they were heading to Somalia.
• Crew of 22 Abandons Ship off Philippines
22 crew members of a North Korean cargo vessel abandoned ship after it listed and eventually ran aground off the northern coast of the Philippines Friday.
After leaving Port Aparri Thursday evening, M/V Nam Yang 8 encountered dangerous waves Friday afternoon, causing it's 2,600 metric tons of magnetite cargo to shift. The vessel listed and encountered derangement on the main engine about 11 nautical miles off Lacay Lacay Point, which prompted the captain to call for abandon ship. The ship capsized about 6 nautical miles off Taggat Norte in Claveria town. M/V Nam Yang 8 drifted several miles and ran aground off the coast of Illocos Norte, according to local reports.
By early Saturday morning, according to an official report from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), all crew members had safely disembarked the ship, were onboard their life rafts and reached shoreline. Only one crew member sustained minor injuries.
The PCG contacted the ship's agent to coordinate the salvage and towing of the vessel to the nearest port. Local agents have also made arrangements for the ship's security against potential pirate attacks.