Pirate Attack on Maersk Texas Averted in Gulf of Oman

Maersk Line Ltd. has confirmed that pirates in the Gulf of Oman attacked one of their U.S.-flagged cargo ships, Maersk Texas. Fortunately, onboard security guards were able to deter them.

The attack on the ship - a 19,592 dwt vessel which is 486 feet long - took place at noon local time on Wednesday when it was passing through the Gulf of Oman, northeast of the Arab Emirates port of Fujairah, reports Reuters. It was en route back to the United States from the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian navy was the first to respond to the initial distress call from the Maersk Texas, and provided guidance to the crew via radio. The Australian frigate HMAS Melbourne was also dispatched to help the Maersk Texas. The warship launched a helicopter that proceeded to the merchant vessel.

Reportedly, onboard witnesses recall seeing numerous skiffs with armed men in each boat quickly closing in on Maersk Texas. Despite warnings, the pirates continued to approach the vessel and then fired upon it, after which a security team returned fire in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard rules of engagement.

Everyone aboard the vessel is safe, unharmed and the ship is continuing on schedule. No other details are currently available regarding the assailants, including where they came from. Many smaller vessels and fishing boats were also in the area, but were not involved in the incident.

The shipping industry has stated that recent precautions, like the use of armed guards onboard, have helped reduce the number of attacks in recent years even though piracy remains a problem from Africa to Asia.